The Kashmir earthquake which hit Pakistan Administered Kasmir on October 8, 2005, registered 7.6 on the Richter scale, making it the most severe in the history of Pakistan. The earthquake caused widespread devastation. Kashmir and Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province were the worst-affected areas.

An estimated 3.3 million were left homeless. As snow fell these people were at severe risk from the cold and outbreak of diseases.

Most of the casualties resulting from the earthquake were in Pakistan where the official death toll reached 73,000. Widespread damage was suffered in Balakot, Garhi Habib Ullah, Rawlakot and Muzaffarabad which was close to the epicentre and where 30,000 died. Hundreds of thousands of buildings collapsed or sustained severe damage Ninety percent of the houses in the district of Bagh were either completely destroyed or rendered inhabitable.

Project Objectives:

To provide relief to those affected by the earthquake.

Project Activities:

Islamic Relief is an international aid agency that works in over 25 countries worldwide.

Our work covers emergency preparedness, full-scale disaster response, rehabilitation and long-term development projects.

Over the years IR has provided communities with public services, such as water and education. We have now moved towards a ‘rights-based approach’, helping communities to become self-sufficient and encouraging them to expect their governments to provide adequate public services.

IR works in partnership with communities, aid agencies, local organisations and governments.