Church aid agency concerned for displaced people in Pakistan

|PIC1|A church-based relief and development agency has expressed concern for people in Pakistan displaced as a result of the Pakistani army’s assault on Islamic militants in South Waziristan.

Church World Service (CWS) said that although many people had already been displaced since the launch of the military offensive a week ago, authorities had not established any formal camps or shelters for the estimated 100,000 people affected.

“With the winter season setting in, shelter and heating will also become an increasing concern,” said CWS.

The Pakistan military launched a ground offensive in the South Waziristan region, close to the border with Afghanistan, on October 17. Communication lines in the conflict area have been cut off and thousands of inhabitants have fled to neighbouring districts, including Dera Ismail Khan and Tank in the southern area of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP). Many are taking refuge in with friends and family.

The UN reports that 100,000 new internally displaced persons have reached Dera Ismail Khan and Tank. More than 80,000 people had already been taking refuge in these areas since May, displaced by smaller outbreaks of conflict.

Humanitarian access in the region remains heavily restricted, making it difficult for international humanitarian groups to respond. The only groups being allowed to respond are local agencies. The direct operations of all international organisations in the area have been stopped, according to CWS staff in Pakistan.

Local partners of CWS and other members of the international Action by Churches Together (ACT) coalition in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank report that displaced people can only sustain themselves for a short time with the very limited provisions they have been able to take with them.

Depending on levels of funding, CWS said it hoped to distribute hygiene kits, blankets and other non-food items for 5,000 families. In addition, CWS is providing safe drinking water to 8,800 displaced people through 80 communal hand pumps, along with sanitation support through 440 latrines, 80 bathing places and 80 washing points.