Former taoiseach Albert Reynolds has been appointed Ireland's representative at this weekend's South Asia East Asia Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Conference in Pakistan.
Mr Reynolds, who was appointed by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will be briefed by Paksitani officials about the relief effort in the country following last month's earthquake. An estimated 15,000 villages were affected with 86,000 people killed, 100,000 injured and an estimated 4 million homeless.
Irish agencies are working on the ground and €5 million in aid has been sent by the Government. Mr Reynolds will report back to the Government as the onset of winter creates new problems and requirements for the relief effort.
The head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Kemal Davis said yesterday that more money was needed with Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf saying €5 billion was needed.
Donor countries have been accused on not honouring their aid pledges though bureaucracy caused by the Kashmir territorial dispute between in India and Pakistan have also hampered the efforts of people to flee the area.
Saturday's conference in Islamabad will be attended by donor countries and aid agencies to discuss requirements such as medical supplies, food, blankets and shelter supplies.
Livestock was killed and crops wiped out by the quake and an estimated 40,000 women are pregnant in an area where medical facilities have been all but wiped out.
The logistical difficulty of getting aid to remote areas is also causing considerable concern. Landslides have blocked roads and there was has been extensive damage to the electricity, water and communications infrastructure.