From correspondents in Geneva
October 12, 2005

THE United Nations appealed today for $US272 million ($357.38 million) for quake survivors in northern Pakistan where, aid officials said, the death toll could hit 40,000, exceeding that in the Iranian city of Bam two years ago.

The UN inter-agency appeal aims to cover relief needs in the devastated Kashmir region - including winterised tents, food, blankets, medicines, water purification equipment - as well as reconstruction of some schools and health facilities.

"The appeal is to cover the immediate life-saving and early recovery needs for only the first six months of the emergency phase," Yvette Stevens, assistant UN emergency relief coordinator, told a news conference to launch the flash appeal.

"In terms of reconstruction, we would expect that the needs will be much, much greater," she said.

The death toll in Saturday's earthquake in northern Pakistan and India stood at least 23,000 people, but officials have said it could double as large parts of the region remain inaccessible as landslides swept away roads.

Ms Stevens put the death toll at "at least 30,000", with four million people affected, including one million in acute need.

"The search and rescue teams will complete their operations tomorrow (Wednesday), giving more space for relief operations," she said.

Under the appeal, eight cargo helicopters are sought, in addition to eight US helicopters already deployed, to airlift supplies to cut-off villages and evacuate wounded from them.

The United Nations and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - the world's largest disaster relief network - have deployed experts in logistics, shelter, health, water and sanitation, and disaster relief coordination.

"We fear that at least 40,000 people are dead. This means it is worse than the Bam earthquake," Sian Bowen, Federation spokeswoman told an earlier briefing, echoing comments by officials in Pakistani Kashmir and North-West Frontier Province.

"We do fear the situation could get much worse," she said.

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake in the historic city of Bam, some 1000km southeast of Tehran, on December 26, 2003, took nearly 31,000 lives.

The World Health Organisation expressed concern diseases could break out among survivors in crowded conditions due to a lack of clean water and safe sanitation. Many hospitals and health centres had been flattened and medical staff killed.

"Diarrhoeal diseases - including cholera and dysentery - are feared," WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told reporters.

Measles, which can be deadly for children, is endemic in the region, where only 60 per cent of children have been vaccinated, according to the UN health agency. At least 90 per cent coverage is needed to prevent a measles epidemic.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) is seeking $US64.3 million ($84.48 million) to cover water and sanitation, as well as educational needs.

UNICEF spokesman Damien Personnaz noted that half of the region's population was under age 16.

"Without a doubt children are the principal victims of this tragedy," he said.