My name is Usman and I work as an International Trade Analyst for a law firm in Washington, DC.

As you may know, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck close to Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on 8 October. The earthquake has cause widespread destruction in the area and has affected many in India and Pakistan. There are now reports of over 50,000 confirmed deaths and devastation that may take a decade to repair. The World Food Programme says some 500,000 people in remote areas have received no aid at all. One of the biggest problems is meeting the demand for tents that can provide shelter as the cold weather worsens.

I have been involved in the relief effort - both in terms of raising funds and collecting/shipping goods and supplies to Pakistan. My family, working out of Pakistan, has recently informed me that an area overlooked is the need for Artificial Limbs for Victims. The Federal Health Minister, Muhammad Nasir Khan, has reiterated government's decision not to send any injured person of the earthquake abroad for treatment. This means that any demand for artificial limbs will be met by imports and possible local production. Therefore, I am writing to you to find out if you, or someone you know, would be interested in setting up an artificial limb manufacturing facility in Pakistan for the benefit of the earthquake victims.

There are a few specific things I need help with:

Visit this section to find out how you can help continue to support the relief effort.

I've spent the last few days working with a large number of enthusiastically dedicated individuals who have been sorting out thousands of boxes of donations, transferring them from ADAMS to a warehouse and onto a tractor-trailor.

We've had to turn away a large number of donors. Some have been sending in regular clothes and an unusual odd assortment of utterly unnecessary goods. Now only tents, medical supplies and blankets are being accepted; no exceptions.

Ameel and Nadia Khan have been maintaining a very helpful site in Pakistan. If you're interested in connecting with individuals on the ground or providing support, please visit their website (www.insanityworks.org).

Attached is an email update from them.

Dear Friends,

The Chowrangi magazine team would like to put first-person accounts of the earthquake, its aftermath, and relief efforts up on our website (www.chowrangi.org), as well as publish some in our upcoming issue (with
permission). Please send on any accounts and stories that you have received. We hope this will do some justice to the amazing love, courage and resilience shown by the people of Pakistan.

The quakehelp blog has a very helpful map, particularly to relief organizations on the ground. The map provides an overview of affected populations in Pakistan. A point to note is that the map clearly shows devastated hard-to-reach areas beyond Muzaffarabad.

View the map here.