The Secretary General is greatly encouraged to see the rapid and large response by the International community to the devastating earthquake that has struck the people of Pakistan as well as in Afghanistan and India.

The Emergency teams dispatched by the United Nations have been working since 8 October around the clock in support of national authorities to ensure a rapid assessment of the needs and an effective coordination of international assistance. To this end, OCHA coordination centres have been established in Islamabad, and in Muzaffarabad close to the epicentre.

The Secretary General encourages all international actors to work together to achieve full coordination of all international efforts in support of the national rescue efforts.

Agencies of the United Nations system - UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR, WHO, UNFPA - have immediately activated their in country capacities and dispatched relief supplies and sectoral experts.