World Vision, the international aid and development agency has in conjunction with the Pakistani aid agency ODC (Organisation for Development Coordination), answered the plea for help from tribal leaders in the Black Mountain region of Kala Daka, beyond the North West Frontier Province, Pakistan.

|TOP|The people of the area are traditionally fiercely independent, living in remote communities high in the foothills of the Himalayas. Over 104,000 people in the area have gone without aid since the Earthquake on 8th October caused devastation to their homes.

The inhabitants of the area are in danger from exposure and disease. World Vision and the ODC have led a mercy mission into the “forbidden territory”, in a bid to bring aid to as many as 13,000 households.

Until the present time no information was available, concerning the fate of the mountain villages, but it is now clear that they have suffered extensive amounts of damage.

Tribal leaders left their villages and made long journeys through the mountains to make the plight of their people known. The first wave of aid distribution is meant to arrive this week, with more to follow.

The last time a Westerner had contact with the area was during a British and Indian army expedition in 1888 during the days of colonial rule on the Indian subcontinent.

|AD|The aid mission of the present day has been endorsed by the Pakistani regional and federal Governments, who themselves are not permitted to enter the area, which has been autonomous for hundreds of years.

Outsiders are forbidden to enter the area and the only existing maps are those of the Colonel Wylly who documented the army exhibition of the late 19th century. World Vision has gained access to the maps and will be using them to traverse the mountain passes.

Andy Gross, a journalist from World Vision will be reporting from the area and has gained permission from the tribal leaders to visit the mountain communities, meet their families and report on their situation. He is the first ever Western journalist to report from the area.

The people of the area are generally hostile to outsiders and the area is notorious for being “bandit country”. ODC has a wealth of experience in dealing with tribes in Afghanistan and have gained the trust of the tribal leaders of the Black Mountain.

ODC has negotiated the route and security of the expedition, whilst World Vision have given additional resources, aid distribution points and core relief items.

World Vision emergency officer Chris McDonald said that: “World Vision was able to respond immediately to the tribal leaders appeal for help, because as an agency we have operated in this particular region for over three years and have a demonstrated expertise in responding to emergencies locally. Our staff on the ground has worked hard to establish strong relationships with local organisations, community leaders, national government and the military, giving us credibility and access to remote areas. Our priority now is to get much needed aid to those communities as soon as possible.”