A Pakistani military offensive against Taliban militants in their Swat
valley bastion has forced about 1.5 million people from their homes, the
government and the United Nations say.
A failure to respond to one of the most dramatic displacement crises in
recent times could generate instability, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees
Antonio Guterres said at the weekend as he called for "massive support" from
the international community.
Following are some facts about the displaced.
- The number of people displaced by the fighting has risen to about 1.5
million, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
- They are joining about 555,000 displaced by earlier fighting in the
northwest.
- Many thousands of people remain in the valley and the head of the
government's relief effort said authorities were trying to ensure regular
food supplies for them.
- The United Nations says about 48 percent of the displaced are children and
the country faces a long-term humanitarian crisis.
- About 131,000 of the displaced are in some 24 camps. The rest are staying
with friends, relatives, in rented accommodation or in "spontaneous
settlements" that have sprung up.
- The U.N. refugee agency has opened stockpiles of supplies to help the
displaced and has also airlifted in 120 tonnes of supplies including plastic
sheets for shelters and mosquito nets.
- The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) has mobilised its in-country stocks
and is feeding 900,000 people.
- The WFP has also established 17 humanitarian hubs to provide food and
other help to people living with host families.
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has delivered 20 mini-emergency health
kits, enough for 120,000 people for one month.
- The health situation in districts hosting the displaced remains stable
although an increase in cases of diarrhoea had been reported in some camps,
the United Nations said on Wednesday.
- The U.N. children's agency, UNICEF, and its partners are providing 4.5
million litres of clean water a day to about 280,000 people, while more than
6,800 latrines and 3,400 bathing spaces have been built.
- The army, which played a major role in helping survivors of a big
earthquake in 2005, is donating part of its rations to the relief effort,
enough to feed about 80,000 adults a day.
- The United States has donated $4.9 million for basic supplies such as
tents, blankets and cooking kits, while Britain has donated 10 million
pounds ($15.19 million). France has promised 12 million euros and Germany 1
million euros.
- Both the United Nations and the government are due to outline the needs
and issue appeals for help this week. (Writing: Robert Birsel; Editing: Paul
Tait)
