Families lament Kashmiri delays

Survivors need shelter and food before winter

Divided families in Indian-administered Kashmir say they are disappointed at the delay in opening up the de facto border in the disputed territory.

India has set up at least two relief camps to treat quake victims from the Pakistani side of the Line of Control.

But Delhi and Islamabad have yet to agree the details of travel across the line. Officials will meet on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the race to help an estimated 800,000 survivors before winter sets in continues.

Map of earthquake zone

Pakistan estimates the quake killed more than 53,000 people, most of them in the portion of Kashmir it administers.

Some 1,400 people died in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials say.

Prayers

People on both sides of the LoC have been desperate for news of loved ones since the quake struck on 8 October.

HOW TO DONATE Unicef www.unicef.org.uk UNHCR www.unhcr.ch Disasters Emergency Committee (UK) www.dec.org.uk World Food Programme www.wfp.org Kashmir International Relief Fund www.kirf.org Red Cross/ Red Crescent www.icrc.org Dangers facing survivors

Locals at Gulpur in Poonch district, site of one of the camps on the Indian side, were eagerly waiting to receive relatives from across the LoC.

"They were supposed to come here today. But now army officials have confirmed that today's programme has been cancelled," school teacher Mohammed Taj told the BBC on Tuesday.

Katija Begum said: "I am disappointed. The children, especially, were so happy at the prospect of meeting their uncle and grandparents.

"I pray that the road opens."

India and Pakistan reject accusations that they are foot-dragging over proposals to open up Kashmir following the quake.

They have fought two wars over the territory and it is one of the most heavily militarised areas in the world.

India now says its officials will hold talks in Pakistan on Saturday on proposals to allow travel across the LoC.

Foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna made clear that the three relief points set up by India were not yet operational.

He said there was no question of opening up the Line of Control without consent from Pakistan.

India says its camps are ready to offer treatment

For its part, Pakistan has suggested five possible points for movement across the line.

Meanwhile, the UN has warned that a serious lack of funding and practical difficulties, such as blocked roads, are creating what it has described as a death trap for survivors.

The UN's World Food Programme said it had received just 13% of the $56m requested in donations needed to head off starvation.

The UN says up to 20% of those affected by the earthquake have still received no help.

On Wednesday, the UN will hold an international donors conference in Geneva to discuss the relief operation.

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