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Winter Batters Pakistan

Winter has hit the mountainous region of northern Pakistan, and millions are struggling to survive with only unheated tents for shelter. A massive earthquake tore through Pakistan, India and Afghanistan on October 8, 2005. The deadly quake killed 87,000 people and left 3.5 million homeless. Pakistan was hit hardest.

Frigid temperatures are increasing the risk of illness in the tent towns that have sprung up around the region. An estimated 1.2 million homeless children are at especially great risk.

Steady snow and rainfall are complicating relief efforts. Many stricken areas are mountain villages that are hard to reach even in the best conditions.

"Normally, winter in this area is very dangerous, but these days it is even more dangerous," says Ziaur Rehman, a resident of Sharda, Pakistan, a small mountain village.

Shortages have caused prices of basic food and medicine to skyrocket. The U.N. World Food Programme pledged to deliver a one-month supply of food to Sharda by helicopter. It should take 20 days, but bad weather could make the mission impossible.

"I'm worried," says Muhammad Afzal Qureshi, a teacher who lives in Sharda. "More snow is coming. Then what will I do?"

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