Others

On the 2nd May a catastrophic cyclone hit the agricultural and urban heartlands of Burma. Over 22,000 people have been known to have lost their lives. The crisis has hit both urban and rural areas, both densely populated and hard to reach. If the immediate crisis was not enough, the country was still recovering from the SE Asia Tsunami and one of the regions effected is often called the food basket of Burma as many rice and other staple food products are grown there. This means that the long term food supplies will be effected also, leading to ongoing suffering. As with all other disaster areas local people are driven to drinking dirty water which ends up being the biggest cause for disease and death in the medium term. Over a million people have been displaced from their homes in a disaster which is being described as being in Tsunami proportions.

ATI responded immediately, working closely with partners Burma Aid on the ground to help with the distribution of emergency items such as food, blankets, water-proof sheeting and mosquito nets. Long term the work continues with construction of new homes for those who lost theirs.

In 2005 the magnitude 7.6 earthquake which struck early on October 8th, was the most powerful in the region for 100 years and has left over 80,000 dead and 3 million homeless. ATI offices across Pakistan, including those inside Muzzaffarabad and other affected areas were mobilised immediately. Teams are working day and night to reach and assist survivors before harsh winter snows set in and make many areas inaccessible.

ATI has a long history of work in Pakistan and Kashmir and has a strong presence in affected areas (including Muzzaffarabad) with several field offices, personnel, medical clinics and ambulances already present. Experienced teams -- many of whom helped with the Bam Earthquake in 2003 -- from the Quetta, Peshawar, Islamabad and other offices in the region were mobilised immediately. There are currently dozens of staff and volunteers from ATI Pakistan working in the region and running camps for earthquake survivors.

ATI established a number of large camps caring for upwards of 20,000 people, providing food, shelter and medical care. Winterised tents are also being distributed in more remote areas and work has also begun on the construction of semi-permanent dwellings in preparation for winter snows. In addition to this, teams of doctors are travelling through affected areas providing medical assistance, water storage tanks and latrines are being installed and provisions supplied to affected families.

Years on - the work still continues. Every month, ATI conducts a medical camp in regions where such services are not available.