A HUGE global rescue effort began to reach earthquake victims in Pakistan yesterday as aid workers arrived after the country’s worst natural disaster.

With the official death toll from Saturday’s earthquake standing at 20,000 last night, and Pakistani ministers predicting it could pass 30,000 when rescuers reach remote mountain villages, a dozen countries mobilised rescue teams and the international community pledged millions of pounds to help the stricken regions.

Across northern Pakistan, Kashmir and parts of Afghanistan, towns and villages were destroyed, tens of thousands were injured and hundreds of thousands left without power, water or shelter as winter nears.

It was said to be the strongest earthquake to hit the region in a century, and was followed by as many as 20 powerful aftershocks. President Musharraf’s spokesman said: “Many villages have been wiped off the face of this earth.”

With many communities cut off by landslides, General Musharraf appealed for tents, medicines, money and helicopters — “the bigger the better” — and the speed of the international community’s response was in sharp contrast to the aftermath of the Boxing Day tsunami, when it took days to respond.

This time help was on its way within hours and there was even hope that the disaster might help to heal old rivalries.

Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister, telephoned General Musharraf to extend his sympathies and offer help. The gesture was reminiscent of other episodes of “earthquake diplomacy” such as Greece’s assistance to Turkey after it suffered destructive earthquakes and US humanitarian help to Iran after the city of Bam was destroyed two years ago by a large tremor.

This time Muslims, Christians and other faiths came together. The Queen, President Bush, President Chirac of France and Kofi Annan, the United Nations SecretaryGeneral, all sent messages of condolence to General Musharraf and promised help. Pope Benedict XVI urged the world to respond quickly and generously.

Britain pledged £100,000 and flew out two rescue teams, one of them credited with saving two trapped victims from a block of flats in Islamabad.

China, France, Turkey, Japan, Spain, Russia and other nations also mobilised specialists equipped with sniffer dogs and equipment designed to locate survivors buried under the rubble. The UN set up three emergency centres in Pakistan to co-ordinate the relief efforts.

Muslim countries and Islamic charities also reacted quickly to help their brethren in Pakistan. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Arab states sent money and help.

The Queen said in a message to General Musharraf: “I send my heartfelt sympathy to you and the people of Pakistan, especially to the bereaved and injured and all who have been affected by this terrible disaster.”

Mr Bush offered America’s deepest sympathies for the loss of life and destruction. “My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this horrible tragedy,” he said.

Tony Blair last night called General Musharraf to offer his condolences. The Prime Minister said that Britain was ready to assist in any way to deal with the tragedy.

Much of the focus will be on rescuing those still trapped beneath collapsed buildings and providing emergency help for the thousands of injured. The European Union has pledged £2.5 million and China £4 million. America has pledged an initial $100,000 and the use of military helicopters to reach remote areas.

Oxfam said that it had raised tens of thousands of pounds from an appeal at the weekend. The Disasters Emergency Committee, which represents 13 charities in Britain, will meet today to decide whether to start a joint appeal.

Aid agencies said that with the onset of winter in the mountainous region, millions of pounds would be needed to help the estimated 300,000 people whose homes or livelihoods have been destroyed.

Ann Veneman, the head of the UN International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef), said that children made up half the population of the quake-affected areas and would be vulnerable to hunger, cold, illness and trauma. Unicef said it had begun moving blankets, clothing, tents, medical supplies, food for infants and water purification tablets from a Karachi warehouse to quake-hit areas.

Shaista Aziz, an Oxfam relief worker in Islamabad, said: “Communications have collapsed and roads have been severely damaged. Oxfam is working on the ground to get aid to people in need.”

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200,000 Damghan, Iran, December 22, 856

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