ISLAMABAD: With improvement in weather, relief operations in the quake-hit areas of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and other parts of the country resumed on Monday. Aid agencies believe that a number of villages continue to be cut off from the rest of the world and could be accessed only through the air.

As the death toll rose above 50,000, there are serious concerns over the plight of the survivors as they await on the tenth day of the disaster shelter over their head besides food, water and medicine. The United Nations has promised to inject more helicopters to reach out to those who have not got anything so far.

Simultaneously it was announced here that an international donors conference has been convened in Geneva on October 24 to assess Pakistan's needs for rehabilitation and reconstruction in the quake-ravaged areas.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said Pakistan requirement would go far beyond an initial assessment of $ 5 billions as the government was in touch with donors both at the bilateral as well as multilateral level. An internal meeting of the European Union next week would also discuss Pakistan's reconstruction needs, she said.

She said the damage assessment of the quake-hit areas was not yet over but recalled a last week statement by U.N. Under Secretary General Jan Egeland who estimated the loss to be in billions of dollars. The spokesperson said the death toll confirmed was over 40,000 and likely to rise.

"There are areas from where evacuation has not taken place but we hope for the best," she said but feared the number would rise. Ms. Aslam said that quake has destroyed infrastructure spread over 28,000 km with 3.5 to 4 million people displaced. She appreciated the response by the international community to the disaster, which was prompt and impressive both in terms of rescue and relief.

The countries which contributed to rescue efforts include the U.K., Turkey, China, Russia, Germany, France, Hungry, Japan, Iran, Poland, Netherlands, Jordan, Malaysia, Slovakia, Spain, Thailand, Singapore. Those which were providing medical aid and relief goods include Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China Cuba, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, India, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Netherlands and Russia.

NATO and Saudi Arabia have established air bridges, bringing continuous supply of relief goods. The spokesperson said that the United Nations has revised its flash appeal from an initial $ 272 million to $ 312 million while international pledges were well over $ 500 millions.

Responding to a question, the spokesperson said that the aid offer by India was open-ended and Pakistan deeply appreciated it.

Pakistan did indicate its requirement to India and the assistance from that country was coming in, she said.

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