ISLAMABAD, Oct. 29 (Xinhuanet) - The earthquake-hit areas in northwest frontier provinces (NWFP) of Pakistan are still in urgent need for international aid, said Zhao Heping, director of second team of the China International Search and Rescue (CISAR) here Saturday.

 

    Zhao made the remarks when the team left for Islamabad for NWFP, where the team will carry out medical treatment for local victims.

 

    "The current situation in NWFP is more serious than expected," said Zhao, adding the team will focus their work on Balakot area, which was one of the three regions affected the most by the quake.

 

    Zhao noted that the team contacted the Pakistani Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) as soon as it arrived in Islamabad Friday evening. The team was informed that the earthquake falling on Oct. 8 had killed more than 50,000 people and injured 75,000. In a total area of 20,000 square kilometers, 4.5 million people still have no tents to stay. So far, 45 international aid teams with more than 870 staff members as well as 202 local medical teams are working in the area.

 

    However, Zhao noted that the medical service in the area is far insufficient due to the destruction of infrastructure and transportation. Injured people there are faced with serious issues such as infection of wounds, psychological problem and malnutrition. What's worse, some of them might even lose life because of the coming of rain and snow in two weeks.

 

    So far epidemic cases have been reported in Balakot. Included are two measles, 17 tetanus and fast-spreading laxness.

 

    CISAR second team spokesman Huang Jianfa told Xinhua that the team this time has eight women medical workers who are greatly welcomed by local people.

 

    He stressed that the Chinese government dispatched the second CISAR team soon after the return of the first team.

 

    The Pakistani government and the WHO officials have repeatedly praised the efficiency of the CISAR, Huang added.

 

    Yang Zaocheng, deputy-director of the team and also a veteran doctor, said the team would set up a field hospital, and dispatch small medical teams to remote villages.