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The survivors could now get up to nearly $2,929 for rebuilding their houses, an increase of about $2,511. This decision comes soon after Saturday's donor conference where nearly $5.4bn was pledged, exceeding the country's appeal for funds. Pakistan says more than 73,000 people were killed in the disaster. More than three million people were made homeless by the quake. Incentives Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan, the army spokesman, told the BBC's Urdu service that the compensation amount for every family had been increased from $418 to $2,929 for house rebuilding. Map of earthquake zone He also said that survivors could receive $418 "if they rebuild their houses following the quake resistant standards laid down by the government". Maj Gen Sultan said the would be given in cash to the survivor families as soon as possible. The decision came at a meeting convened by President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. On being questioned about complaints of inadequate food and shelter from people in remote areas, Maj Gen Sultan told the BBC that the media tended to generalise the issue unnecessarily. "If you had told me this [complaints of people] a few weeks ago, I would have said I will have to check. But now I will dismiss this as misinformation, unless you give me specific locations where there are still problems and I can check and let you know," he said. The announcement to increase compensation follows Saturday's international donors conference in Islamabad, where the international community and donors pledged nearly $5.4bn to help the country recover from the disaster. The figure exceeds the $5.2bn Pakistan had been asking for and much of the promised amount comes in the form of low interest loans. The government also announced the launch of a National Voluntary Movement programme, which would help the people in remote areas with the construction of their houses. Source: more