Following the massive earthquake that, on 8 October last, hit southern Asia and particularly the north of Pakistan, the UIA President Gaétan Siew addressed a message of sympathy, on behalf of the UIA Bureau, to the President of the Pakistan Institute of Architects, Syed Akeel Bilgrami, and asked him what kind of held the UIA and its member Sections could offer.

The Pakistan Institute of Architects has joined with The Citizens Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, to organise the emergency humanitarian assistance required for 4 million victims of which 2 million are homeless.

The priorities identified by the Pakistan Institute of Architects through the voice of its President are the following:

1. Provision of light structures to be used for temporary housing to cope with the extremely rigorous winter ahead;
2. Financial contributions for rehabilitation programmes on the short and middle terms;
3. Technical assistance and expertise related to post disaster construction.

In the framework of the recent co-operation agreement signed between the UIA and the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements, UN – HABITAT, the UIA hastened to contact this partner to define a programme for aid to Pakistan, which is being developed.

The UIA appeals to all its Member Sections to inform the General Secretariat of the initiatives they wish to undertake as a contribution to the international solidarity in support of the stricken population. All actions will be co- ordinated on the spot by the Pakistan Institute of Architects and a representative of UN-HABITAT.