A DISABILITY organisation has joined forces with the Newport and Gwent Pakistani Association to send vital equipment to earthquake survivors in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

ResponsABLE assistance, established by Newport businessman Trevor Palmer, provides emergency relief and help to disabled people affected by natural and man-made disasters worldwide.

"The £10,000 worth of new equipment that we are donating is just a small drop in the ocean to what is needed," said Mr Palmer.

"Due to geographical and logistical difficulties, heightened by local weather conditions, the sheer number of people that have been affected by the earthquake is more serious than many realise."

He added that, as well as vital medical equipment, blankets, warm clothing and protective footwear must be sent and distributed immediately.

Both ResponsABLE assistance and the Newport and Gwent Pakistani Association, run by Nasim Babur, are run on not-for-profit, voluntary basis. It is given to Merlin, a UK-based medical aid agency, which is running a field hospital and a temporary clinic in Panjkot village which is currently only accessible by helicopter.

The organisation is setting up a second field hospital in the Neelum valley in the coming days, and will be rebuilding health facilities in the longer term to replace those that have been destroyed by the earthquake.

Allan Bell, Merlin's operations manager for Asia, said: "Merlin would like to thank ResponsABLE assistance for supporting our work in Pakistan, which is providing vital medical relief."

ResponsABLE assistance can be contacted on 01633 216644 while the Newport and Gwent Pakistan Association's number is 01633 223464.