ISLAMABAD: Acting President Dr Fehmida Mirza has announced a grant of Rs5 million and 2,000 blankets from the Speakerís Relief Fund for the people of earthquake-affected areas of Balochistan.

She announced this on Wednesday during a meeting arranged for members of ìSpecial Oversight Committee for Displaced Persons of Tribal Areasî on relief and rehabilitation activities in the quake-affected areas of Balochistan.

Dr Fehmida Mirza appreciated the role of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in managing the recent national disaster and said only proactive approach can help in reducing the impacts of these disasters.

Senior Member of the NDMA, while briefing the meeting, said the death toll of the quake was 163, while 175 were injured. He said 710 houses were completely damaged and, as a whole, 800 families were affected and 7,000 to 10,000 people of 218 villages were displaced. The meeting was told that international donors and foreign governments donated cash and commodities for the quake victims.