Emergency cell set up at Kurram, as the process to transfer patients via helicopter continues
By: Adnan Haider, Syeda Masooma
KURRAM: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said that 53 affected people, including 14 critical patients, have been transferred from Kurram to Peshawar, via helicopter. Moreover, an emergency cell has also been established in Kurram district to shift affected people to Peshawar hospitals.
“Relief, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Department has imposed emergency in Kurram district,” PDMA said on Sunday, adding, “Emergency Operation Center is fully functional, and can be contacted at 1700 for information and guidance”.
HUMAN TRAGEDY UNFOLDS
The main road connecting Parachinar to the neighboring cities has been closed since October 13. As a result, a severe shortage of essential items has developed in the region. This includes food, fuel and medicines. The hospitals in the area have been complaining about medicine shortage for several days now.
Also read: Kurram crisis: Faisal Edhi arrives with medicines
Earlier this week, Faisal Edhi of the Edhi Foundation brought life-saving medicine to Parachinar. A consignment of medicines was also sent by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s helicopter is also being used to transport medicines to the area.
Despite all these efforts, the shortage of medicines has taken a tragic toll, with latest reports saying that over 50 children have died due to lack of medical care.
Also read: No respite for Kurram, as road blockages persist
According to Edhi sources, more than 50 children have died in hospitals so far. Medical Superintendent of the District Headquarters Hospital confirmed to HUM News that 29 children have died in their hospital, while the rest have died in other hospitals.
CITIZENS STAGE PROTEST OUTSIDE PRESS CLUB
Kurram citizens came out to protest in front of the Kurram Press against the long road closure and the resulting hardships. Laborers who drive handcarts also joined the protestors along with their carts.
People from various other sectors also participated in the protest. The laborers said that due to the prolonged closure of roads, the laborers and poor people are in a critical situation. They said that the people are being forced to starve due to food shortage. “They are forced to eat tea without sugar and without salt,” the laborers said.
The protestors demanded that the government opens the main road and take immediate steps to end the human tragedy unfolding in the region.
A villager at the sit-in spoke to HUM News and said, “I have not eaten anything for three days and am dying of hunger”.
KURRAM SITUATION SO FAR
The only main road linking Kurram district and especially the district headquarters Parachinar with other districts has been closed for the last two and a half months. The weather continues to get colder, while the Kurram citizens are now also bereft of fuel and firewood. There is also a shortage of LPG in the area.
Moreover, all ATM machines in the city are now closed due to lack of money in banks. Routes for lower Kurram are open for movement, but upper Kurram remains under lockdown with the stocks of all essential goods now depleting. The few edibles that make it to Kurram are being sold at exuberantly high prices.
Currently, potatoes are available in the city at Rs400 per kg, tomatoes at Rs300 and onions at Rs350 per kg, HUM News has learnt. The president of the vegetable market, Mohsin Ali, said that the tomato season and onion stocks will also end in a few days.
Also read: Mohsin Naqvi, Gandapur meet in apex committee to address Kurram situation
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Gandapur and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired the apex committee meeting on Kurram situation. The interior minister assured the provincial government of all necessary support. However, a final decision on the situation is yet to be announced. The Jirga being held at Kohat is also in the process of reaching a decision on the Parachinar crisis.