It was one of the worst human catastrophes of recent times. Nearly 75,000 were killed, including 22,000 children. Between two and three million people were left homeless and the destruction caused is expected to take a decade to repair.

Yet barely 14 months on, few talk about the earthquake that hit north Pakistan on the morning of October 8, 2005.

A charity which has recently set up base in Birmingham is hoping to change that and keep the ongoing tragedy of the region very much at the forefront of people's minds.

The Read Foundation aims to help repair the massive damage done to education by the 7.6 magnitude earthquake.

It has its work cut out - Unicef calculates more than 6, 000 schools were destroyed and nearly one million children had their education disrupted by the natural disaster.

According to the Read Foundation, 853 teachers lost their lives and tens of thousands of children are still being taught in "schools without walls" or in tents.

On top of that, many youngsters are deeply scarred psychologically having lost family and even limbs.

Khurram Yaqoob, project manager at the Read Foundation, said: "Our long term plans are to make sure that these most vulnerable children are given a school place in the form of weather-proof, seismic-resistant and purpose-built schools, where they can feel safe and receive the education and care they need on a continuing basis.

"We are also developing special programmes to address the psychological and physical needs of these children and teachers alike."

The Read Foundation, which moved from Bradford to Washwood Heath in Birmingham a few months ago, believes it is through education that communities can "pull themselves out of poverty".

It has taken a lead role in restarting schools in the devastated area, getting some up and running again within two weeks of the earthquake. It has also provided tents and equipment to keep youngsters engaged in learning and is running a training programme to recruit much-needed new teachers.

About 23,000 children are back in education due to the foundation's work. Much of its funding is ploughed into rebuilding schools with material that will be better able to withstand potential future earthquakes.

But the charity believes there are many hurdles still to face in reconstructing the education base of the region.

Thousands of children have been orphaned. Most of them now live in temporary shelters and makeshift camps with their guardians and near relations.

Helping them to rebuild their lives will take time, says the charity.

"The devastation was massive and is still ongoing," said Fozia Parveen, spokeswoman for the charity.

"There were schools there and a lot of them were just completely knocked down by the earthquake.

"The 22,000 estimate for children who lost their lives is probably conservative. As well as that we are also trying to give those that survived counselling."