Shii visits quake-hit area in Pakistan

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Shii visits quake-hit area in Pakistan

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on September 20 toured the northwest frontier province of Batagram in Pakistan which had been severely damaged by a major earthquake that killed over 70,000 people in October 2005.

Shii visited an elementary school now under reconstruction with assistance from the Japanese government. At a neighboring high school whose buildings completely collapsed, the principal stopped the lessons in an open-air class and introduced Shii to the students saying, "His visit gives us encouragement."

Shii also visited the district's central hospital and inspected a temporary operating room. Doctors told Shii that assistance is needed for obtaining water purification facilities and increasing doctors and nurses.

Shii said to them, "I'll convey your requests to the Japanese government and make efforts to provide more assistance."
- Akahata, September 21, 2006