Work still to do in quake area

From the archive, first published Wednesday 6th Dec 2006.

A community worker has returned to Pakistan to see how survivors of last year's earthquake are coping.

Omar Shaikh, from Keighley, who works as a youth offender team officer in Shipley, went to the earthquake-devastated region of northern Pakistan with a team of eye specialists from Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Mr Shaikh had travelled around the region last year with friends, distributing aid and relief to those in most need.

"One of the reasons that I wanted to go was to see whether things have improved," he said.

Working with a team of surgeons and nurses, who treated people for cataracts and other eye problems, Mr Shaikh worked as an interpreter and a volunteer testing people's eyesight before they could be seen by a professional.

The team travelled to the cities of Sahiwal, Gujranwala and Chi Chi Watin.

Mr Shaikh also travelled to Muzaffarabad as he was keen to see how the city had improved since his last trip more than 12 months ago.

"Judging as a year has passed, nothing really has been done. The city was bustling but you can see the scars on everyone's faces," he said.

Many survivors are still receiving treatment for injuries caused by the earthquake and a large proportion of the population continue to live in tents rather than homes.

"Winter is still to come and people are living in tents - they need more help. There are certain organisations doing good work, but there is still a lot of work to be done," said Mr Shaikh.

During his trip, Mr Shaikh also handed out money which had been collected by friends and family in an attempt to alleviate some of the suffering of those most in need.

"I tried to give out money to those who needed the most help - orphans, widows and the elderly."

Mr Shaikh has also put together a film of the work of the eye team to highlight the medical help that was carried out and what extra help may be needed in the future.

He is now hoping to work with his colleagues in Shipley to look at what long-term fundraising that can be done to help survivors get their lives back on track.

e-mail: sunita.bhatti@bradford.newsquest.co.uk