FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE

Early day motion 2779, tabled 17 October 2006 by Roger Godsiff (Labour). Signed by 59 members.

That this House remembers the devastating Pakistan earthquake of 8th October 2005 which measured 7.6 on the Richter scale, collapsing 600,000 buildings, including many schools filled with children, and killing more than an estimated 73,000 people; commends the efforts of the Pakistan authorities together with all other governments and relief agencies involved in the initial emergency and relief phase; notes with concern that with a forthcoming second harsh winter the Red Cross puts the number of families who are living in makeshift shelters at 66,000 whereas Oxfam puts the number in tents and rough shelters as high as 1.8 million with widows, the disabled and those living in high mountain villages being amongst the most vulnerable groups; further notes with concern the growing number of reports which suggest that reconstruction efforts since have been blighted by delays, bureaucratic hitches and allegations of corruption; calls on the Government to do all in its power to ensure that both the short-term material needs of those affected continue to be addressed as a matter of urgency whilst ensuring that long-term reconstruction plans which will ensure the future economic prosperity of the region are not impaired.

Signatures by party: Labour 37, Liberal Democrat 8, Conservative 7, DUP 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Independent 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.