The suffering and need of millions of Pakistan’s displaced people has the potential to be protracted, lasting for many months, according to UK relief and development agency Tearfund.

According to local sources, as many as 3.4 million people are now reported to be vulnerable after being uprooted from their homes in the Swat Valley and neighbouring areas of northern Pakistan, the majority leaving since the Pakistan Army began its recent offensive last month.

Tearfund says that the scale of need should focus international attention and trigger a major humanitarian response to avoid prolonging the suffering.

"The needs are massively underserved and the world’s media attention is elsewhere," says David Bainbridge, Tearfund’s Disaster Management Director.

"At present our response is a drop in the ocean. The delayed media attention to Sri Lanka hindered the humanitarian response there.

"We must avoid the same situation in Pakistan where limited access and media coverage make this another forgotten crisis where the humanitarian needs of the displaced are inadequately provided for."

According to World Health Organisation officials and local sources, some 2.9 million people are estimated to have fled from the region in recent weeks. Over half a million people are living in camps whilst the rest are staying with extended families or friends who in the majority of cases are themselves poor. This can mean immense overcrowding and pressure on facilities, increasing the risk of disease.