One year on from Pakistan's devastating earthquake that left 80,000 dead and nearly four million without shelter, international aid and development agency, GOAL UK, has finally wrapped up operations there.
In its emergency relief operation, shelter assistance was provided by GOAL engineers to over 10,000 families.
In response to the need for earthquake-resistant building practices, we funded a series of four-day workshops. run by engineers, these were aimed at training masons and carpenters in safe building practices in the worst-hit Bagh District, where 90 per cent of the infrastructure was destroyed.
So far, nearly 300 craftsmen have been trained in earthquake-resistant design, so that all programmes can continue.
GOAL engineers also increased the production capacity of hundreds of carpenters by providing them with tools and training, so that they can carry on assisting their communities with construction and rehabilitation.
Before the earthquake, the lack of awareness of sound building practices contributed to more than 8,100 deaths in this district alone. Engineers do make a difference — GOAL urgently needs you.
GOAL UK is holding an information evening for engineers in Central London on the 19th of this month. To ensure all those attending receive the maximum benefit from the discussion and question and answer sessions with our experienced engineers, places have been limited to 40.
To book your place and get more information e-mail Laura Byrne on lbyrne@goal-uk.org or call 020 7631 3196.
Olivia McGill
GOAL UK, London
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