Liam Horan, 12th October 2005

Irish aid workers helping to bring life back to normal in earthquake-ravaged Pakistan have been inundated with offers of help from local people.

“There has been an incredible outpouring from Pakistanis, many of whom have lost family or friends but still want to help us in whatever way they can,” said Ray Jordan, a member of GOAL’s emergency response team which has just arrived in the capital Islamabad.

Up to 40,000 people are feared dead in Pakistan after last Saturday’s earthquake wreaked havoc in many parts of the country.

“On the flight out, people were coming up to us to thank us for travelling to help the relief effort, and also asking what they could do to assist our work,” added Mr Jordan.

GOAL are travelling north of the capital today) to begin the mammoth task of rebuilding communities shattered by the earthquake. Over two million people are thought to be homeless, and food and medical supplies are badly needed throughout the country.

A Dublin-based chef, whose eight year-old daughter died when the quake completely flattened a school in Bani Minhasan, yesterday flew from Ireland to be re-united with the other members of his heart-broken family.

“I am emotionally distraught. My beautiful eight year-old daughter Waesam was killed with 75 others in the school, and other members of my extended family have also been killed,” said Akhtar Minhas (34), who lives in Carrickmines.

Many Pakistanis are returning home to help out even though they have lost nobody in the tragedy.

Pakistanis, and sons and daughters of Pakistanis, are answering the call to home. Mohammed Akram (43), originally from the Punjab province but living in the north of England, opened his new motor trade business in Manchester last month, but he literally downed tools when he saw the scenes of devastation on television.

“I didn’t know anybody who died, but I wanted to be here at this time in my country. I have UK£3,000 and I will be hiring a lorry, and buying some medical and food supplies. I hope to bring this to the Kashmir region, which was badly hit by the earthquake,” said Mr Akram, just before boarding a direct flight from Manchester to Islamabad.