Bermuda?s Red Cross has launched an appeal for aid for Pakistan and neighbouring countries after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the area on Saturday morning.

The appeal comes after local director Ann Spencer-Arscott received a request from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Mrs. Spencer-Arscott hopes that Bermudians will respond to the appeal as generously as they did to other recent appeals such as Hurricane Katrina relief.

?Obviously it?s a devastating earthquake, with a large death toll,? she said. ?Whatever the Bermuda public can do to dig into their pockets once again and help people less fortunate than us will be appreciated.?

Sufyan Siddiqui, a Pakistani who has lived in Bermuda for a year, is helping the Red Cross raise funds.

Mr. Siddiqui told he had talked to friends in Pakistan since the quake and been told the situation is dire.

?A friend of mine told me that his family was stuck under a [collapsed building calling for help,? he said. ?He couldn?t do anything because they do not have the necessary equipment to move the rubble. Now his family is dead.?

Recent news reports have the death toll from the quakes at more than 33,000 in Pakistan, north India and Afghanistan.

The city of Muzaffarabad, in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, was one of the hardest hit areas with every second building destroyed.

It is believed that in this city alone 11,000 are dead.

Pakistan?s president Pervez Musharraf has appealed for international aide, saying the country can not deal with the magnitude of devastation.

Mr. Siddiqui said the entire Pakistani community on the Island has banded together to try and coordinate aid.

?It is a natural disaster which no one had any control over,? he said. ?All we can do is help them get the equipment, food, shelter and help they need.?

Anyone interested in sending donations can do so by mail or by dropping it off at the Bermuda Red Cross office at 9 Berry Hill Road in Paget.

The Red Cross is also accepting debit and credit card donations on the phone, at 236-8253.

Mr. Siddiqui is also collecting cheques from people for the Red Cross. If anyone would like him to pick up their donation they can call him at 332-7875.

The Salvation Army in Bermuda is also appealing for financial donations to provide relief for the victims of the massive earthquake.

With more than 120 years experience in Pakistan, the Salvation Army responded quickly by mobilising two truckloads of relief supplies.

Major Lindsay Rowe said these trucks would be sent to the worst hit region of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir once the roads have been cleared of rubble.

Those who would like to make a donation can contact the Salvation Army by calling 292-0601, or by visiting their website at www.sab.bm.

Maj. Lowe said donations can also be mailed to the Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters at 10 North Street, P.O. Box HM 2259, Hamilton, HM JX or by making a financial donation at the closest Salvation Army unit across the Island.

Donors should specify their gift tothe ?South Asia Disaster Fund?.