Homeless earthquake victims in Pakistan brace for cold winter

BALAKOT, Pakistan -- After the call to evening prayer rings out in this ruined town, three families huddle around a small fire, eating rice from a single large plate. Then they quickly retreat to their shared tent to brace for the long night.

The approach of the harsh Himalayan winter, already marked by near-freezing temperatures, is bringing new misery to thousands of quake survivors living in tent cities. And they're the lucky ones -- officials estimate 800,000 people have no shelter of any kind.

The United Nations warns of a second wave of deaths from South Asia's monster quake once winter kicks in if the estimated 3.3 million homeless do not get winterized tents, blankets, food and medical care.

"I pray for help. For food, but also for Allah to save us from the cold," said Karam Ali, 65, who serves as leader of the three families that have banded together.

In their canvas tent -- about the size of a car -- they settle in just after sunset, 15 people sharing just three blankets. Ten of them are children, four under age 5.

There is 2-month-old Faisal, and Zahid, just a month older. Asif is 3, and Alifah turned 5 a month ago.

Their mothers heat their tiny trousers beside the fire for a little extra warmth before putting them on. The babies wail through the night as temperatures turn frigid.

"I don't sleep. I'm awake trying to keep my son warm," said Fazil Deen, Faisal's father. "It's cold for the adults, and it's even worse for children."

In the high mountain villages, snow has already fallen and temperatures are predicted to dip as low as 14 degrees over the next couple of nights. Rain showers were also expected in the quake zone, adding another layer of misery.

Deen said the families arrived in Balakot last week after trudging 25 miles from their village, Kawai.