An ICRC airplane with about 1.4 MT of relief supplies was damaged upon takeoff from the Khwaja Ghar airstrip, which is in bad condition. Hence, at this stage, only the small aircraft of ICRC and UN can land which reduces air transportation capabilities further, to 700 kg per flight. Today, subject to weather conditions, the UN aircraft is due to airlift at least 1.4 tons to Khwaja Ghar airstrip for onward transportation to the disaster area. There are currently 60 medical staff, of whom 21 doctors, working in the affected region. The hospital in Rustaq is the focal point for medical assistance in the region.
Many patients have fractures, and some cases of paraplegia have been reported.
One of the most urgent problems facing this hospital, and other health units in the region, is water supply. The other concern for the humanitarian organizations is how to provide shelter and adequate hygiene conditions for those who have fled the region and have not been taken in by the population spared by the earthquake. Water pipes, which were largely destroyed by the quake, are in urgent need of repair, as there is a high risk of epidemics. In addition, the large number of dead animals further increases the risk of epidemics in the future. The United Kingdom has confirmed that, in response to the OCHA Situation Reports, the British Government is committing USD 300,000 in cash through OCHA for the provision of basic and humanitarian assistance to the victims of the earthquake in Rustaq District.