Timeline of Events: South Asia Earthquake

Timeline of events in response to the South Asia Earthquake on 8 October 2005: 

10 October 2005

The Fred Hollows Foundation launches an emergency fundraising appeal to support the work of the on-the-ground staff in Pakistan. Eye surgery put on hold as rescue, relief and rebuilding become top priority. Effort led by Pakistan Country Manager Dr Rubina Gillani, who utilises her long standing connections in the areas of health, business and defence  to coordinate a swift response to the disaster.

11 October 2005

Antibiotics and medical supplies identified as immediate need. The Foundation begins purchase and distribution of these essential items to hospitals in Haripur, Mansehra and Battagram, which service many of the communities hardest hit by the earthquake.

13 October 2005

Thanks to the help of the Pakistani Department of Health and the Industrial Association of Peshawar, The Fred Hollows Foundation delivers doctors medicines, food packages, tents and blankets to the village of Tahkot (population 40,000), which had been cut off from the rest of the world since the earthquake. Tahkot is in the Hazara region of Pakistan, beyond the town of Battagram.

14 October 2005

A Queensland radio appeal secures 1,000 tents for those left homeless by the earthquake. The Fred Hollows Foundation offers to facilitate the distribution of the tents in Pakistan.

31 October 2005

The Foundation closes the emergency appeal and directs its efforts to the rebuilding and recovery process, particularly focusing on the health system. CEO Brian Doolan thanks Australians for their generous donations, which total over $300,000 in cash, goods and donated services and encourages people to give any further money to other NGO members of ACFID who have ongoing appeals.

4 November 2005

Tilganga Eye Centre in Nepal makes a generous donation to The Fred Hollows Foundation to assist the rebuilding effort in Pakistan. Tilganga staff donate a percentage of their wages to express their solidarity with the people of Pakistan and the Centre's Board matches the amount. The Tilganga Eye Centre, headed by Dr Sanduk Ruit has long standing links to The Fred Hollows Foundation and continues to be a major partner in Nepal.

10 November 2005

CEO Brian Doolan visits Pakistan and calls for more to be done for the homeless in remote mountain regions. Doolan says that without immediate shelter many face death in the freezing Himalayan winter.