Jordan Times
Friday, October 28, 2005
Queen to visit quake-hit city of Muzaffarabad
AMMAN (JT) — Her Majesty Queen Rania will travel
to the devastated city of Muzaffarabad in Pakistan on Saturday, to visit several
sites that have been affected by the Oct. 8 earthquake, which struck Pakistan,
India and Afghanistan.
In her capacity as UNICEF Global Leader for Children, Queen Rania's visit will
include the Abbas hospital as well as one of the UNICEF School in a Tent
projects (The Government Girl's Primary School in Narole) in Muzaffarabad.
The Queen's visit comes amid Jordan's and the international community's efforts
to help victims of the earthquake, which to date has claimed the lives of over
50,000 people and left over 75,000 injured and 3.3 million homeless.
The Kingdom was among the first group of countries that rushed to aid the
quake-stricken areas, setting up a military hospital and providing essential
medical care to the injured. Jordan also sent several planeloads of relief and
medical supplies as well as a rescue team from the Civil Defence Department to
join the search efforts for survivors.
His Majesty King Abdullah visited Pakistan on Oct. 14, the first foreign head of
state to do so after the massive tremor.
Also, Jordan Television is organising a daylong telethon after noon prayers on
Friday to raise funds for victims of the quake.
A fifth planeload of relief will accompany Queen Rania, carrying additional
medical supplies, tents, blankets, heaters and clothing for thousands of people
left homeless.