SG/SM/10148
IHA/1089
11 October 2005

Secretary-General, Deeply Saddened by South-Asia Earthquake, Says UN Relief Agency in Contact with Concerned Governments on Assistance Plans

NEW YORK, 10 October (UN Headquarters) -- This statement was issued on Saturday, 8 October, by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction caused by the earthquake that hit Pakistan, with impact extending into India and Afghanistan, on the morning of 8 October 2005, and extends his sincere condolences to all the victims and their families.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is in contact with the Governments of Afghanistan, India and Pakistan to explore ways in which the United Nations can assist in all efforts required to support relief and rescue operations and in subsequent recovery and reconstruction.

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