Thursday 31 March 2011

Emergency Response Team (ERT)



The ERT (Emergency Response Team) provides immediate help to the vulnerable humanity during natural disasters such as Earthquake, Flood and Drought etc. Inspired by nature, we work together without the consideration of any race or creed.
During the earthquake of Bam, Iran and the Tsunami, the ERT appeared on the scenes of disasters and helped the victims with a vital spirit. The Teams obtained appreciations of a great many people, United Nation, Red Crescent Society of Iran , other International NGOs, Government of Sri Lanka and HRH Prince Charles.
Pakistan Relief which is a Humanitarian Assistance Division of Wilderness Pakistan was the first organization which reached the earthquake hit area. The ERT (Emergency Response Team) of Pakistan Relief visited district Head Quarters hospital Manshera and a few villages late afternoon on October 8, 2005. Need assessment was done on the spot and next day two trucks of food and other stuff was sent to the effected area, which was further distributed among 300 families of Balakot, Bisian and Banna (villages surrounding Balakot). On the same day two trucks were also sent to Bagh area of Kashmir with food and other relief goods.

Accordingly SITREP (situation report) was prepared by ERT and sent to 18 different International NGOs, upon which the German doctors’ team confirmed their arrival for medical assistance.
Among other activities ERT also contacted Pakistan Army Medical Corps based in Manshera. Colonel Hanif who is Coordinator Medical Operation NWFP was the focal person. German team of doctors was given helicopter drop by Pakistan Army Aviation. First few days due to the assistance provided by Colonel Hanif, the team managed to operate in Nawazabad, Kalas, Deoli, Thredi and Jabar villages near Batagram area, treated and registered 9800 patients. 73 persons with serious injuries were evacuated by the helicopter and shifted to hospitals in Islamabad and Abbottabad, where a team of American doctors who volunteered their services treated them.
ERT team was divided into two sections one working in NWFP and other in Kashmir.
The section working in NWFP was further divided into two teams. One team started working in Shual, Shagi, Batangi, small villages near Balakot and second team started working in Rema and Jabori near Batagram. The teams usually start their activities at early hours because sometimes they had to walk on foot for two to three hours uphill in order to access the remote villages. Despite the fact that all the team members were fasting (due to Ramazan) great courage and dedication was shown by each and every member, which made the relief operation some how effective.

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