Asia Earthquake Appeal
On 8 October 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale devastated Kashmir, Pakistan and northern India, claiming at least 73,000 lives and leaving over three million people without homes.
The Disasters Emergency Committee launched an appeal and raised £60 million. 
In addition to the earthquake, extreme weather, floods, aftershocks and poor infrastructure made the recovery mission incredible difficult. The money was initially spent on providing emergency aid and shelter for the survivors, setting up camps with winterised tents, blankets and medical supplies. Water and sanitation facilities were reinstated in the many areas where water supply systems had been destroyed by the quake.
In the longer term, the money raised has helped people rebuild their livelihoods. It has provided livestock to replace those lost by the disaster and helped people begin to re-establish their businesses again.
For news and press releases on the Asia Quake Appeal visit the Asia Quake Press Centre.
