DONATION fatigue may be the reason the Bermuda Red Cross Pakistan Earthquake Appeal has got off to a slow start, according to fund-raisers.

Funds collected during the first week of the appeal amounted to just $8,100, as of yesterday afternoon.

Bermuda Red Cross director Ann Spencer-Arscott expressed concern that people's overwhelming generosity with previous appeals could have left them with little to spare for the latest large-scale natural disaster.

"We've raised over $200,000 for Katrina victims, nearly $70,000 for the West Africa Appeal and we raised $1.5 million for the Asian tsunami appeal," Ms Spencer Arscott said.

"We are concerned that the earthquake appeal has started slowly, because people over there need help right now. Part of the reason may be that people have been so generous with the other appeals going on. Also we're leading up to the festive season and maybe people are putting aside money for that.

"It's a problem that the International Federation (of the Red Cross) is having too, so this seems to be a global trend.

"Many victims of the earthquake are homeless and they need food, water and shelter right now. They've had a lot of rain, which has exacerbated the situation and led to a threat of mudslides.

"I would suggest that if people are planning fund-raising events for the Katrina appeal that they consider redirecting the money to the earthquake appeal."

The International Federation of the Red Cross said in a statement released this week that it was concerned by the slow response to its global appeal.

The $56.5 million preliminary appeal is less than 25 per cent covered, while the emerging picture of needs on the ground, as assessment results arrive from remote communities, worsens by the day," the statement read.

"Thousands of survivors are still living in the open in very cold night temperatures, some with open or gangrened injuries and with little access to clean water. It is estimated by the Federation delegation in Islamabad that of some 63,000 people known to be injured, only 16,000 have had medical attention. Particularly at risk are the children and the elderly.

"We are worried that this trend will not allow us to fully support the Pakistan Red Crescent's ongoing relief operation to initially assist tens of thousands of families over the next four months.

"With time so short before the onset of winter, we must take a significant financial risk to save lives."

Although destroyed or badly damaged roads, as well as poor weather conditions, are still posing enormous logistical difficulties, relief aid is reaching earthquake victims.

Britain also sounded an alarm yesterday over the speed of the world's response to the earthquake in Pakistan, saying more people will die unless relief efforts are reinforced and two million homeless provided with shelter.

"We need more capacity on the ground to deliver support and the urgent need is for shelter if we are going to stop more people from dying," Hilary Benn, Britain's International Development Secretary, told a news conference. So far the death toll has risen close to 50,000, and it is expected to rise further as deaths in many stricken communities in mountainous regions have still to be tallied.

Bank accounts are open and ready to receive donations for the earthquake appeal. They are, at the Bank of Bermuda, A/C 701-48348 and, at Butterfield Bank, A/C 20-006-060-365472-200. Otherwise, people are welcome to mail to or drop off cheques at the Bermuda Red Cross headquarters at Charleswood, 9 Berry Hill Road, Paget DV 03.