Ireland may send troops to aid Asian quake victims
Ireland may send troops to aid the relief effort in earthquake-hit regions in Pakistan, it emerged today.
Up to 51,000 people are already known to have died and 74,000 injured in the October 8 natural disaster.
Aid agencies fear the onset of a freezing winter will cause severe hardship to thousands of survivors in the remote Himalayan foothills.
Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern today said the Government had already pledged €3m and would not rule out sending defence forces troops.
“We have already given a contribution of €3m, which per head of population is a very large contribution in comparison with other EU countries and we’re willing to do more if required.
“Even though the EU is pledging nearly €100m, we need to be able to respond much more in regard to the logistics given the military and civilian assets we have spread throughout the EU.
“If military assistance was required, I have no doubt we would come to the table.”
Aid agency, Concern, said more helicopters were essential to the relief effort as aid workers were currently using mules to haul emergency supplies to needy quake victims.
The UN estimates that up to 500,000 winterised tents are needed to shelter homeless survivors but there are only 100,000 currently available from world manufacturers.
Concern chief executive Tom Arnold said today: “This is a uniquely urgent situation. Unless help is got to people within three to four weeks, they suffer the risk of large-scale deaths.
“Act now to prevent a major disaster.”
