The Pakistani Spectator

The number of the displaced persons has crossed the figure of 3.8 million as about 5,40,127 families have moved to safer places due to military operation against the militants in the Malakand Division.

According to a press release issued here by the NWFP information department, the number of the displaced persons is 38, 70,500, both in camps and off camps. The number of the IDPs living in camps in different areas of the province is 26145 families which constitutes 1, 49,701 individuals. The number of families living off camps is 5, 13,982 which constitutes the figure of 37, 20,800 individuals.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced the assistance of $30 million for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Malakand division. The announcement was made by the UAE minister of state for foreign affairs Dr Anwer Muhammad Gargash, during his visit to the Shah Mansoor camp at Swabi.

While talking to media at the camp the UAE minister said his government was well aware of the suffering of the IDPs and was committed to help them out. He said Pakistan was facing the challenge of fundamentalism and was accommodating millions of IDPs. He said it was not only the responsibility of Pakistan to help the IDPs but being the humanitarian crisis, the international community should come forward and help the IDPs.

Meanwhile, Hamza Foundation (HF) Chairman Ijaz Ali Khan said the foundation, in collaboration with the Tanzeem-e-Lisail Wal Mahroom, would continue to hold free medical camps and provide treatment facilities to the the IDPs at the Jalozai relief camp.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, Ijaz Ali Khan said 250 IDPs patients were being provided treatment facilities daily by expert male and female doctors at the free medical camp.

Meanwhile, the aid agencies involved in delivering supplies to people uprooted by fighting in Swat are facing a cash shortfall of more than £26 million pounds. According to reports of the Guardian, cash shortages and bottlenecks in delivering supplies to people uprooted by fighting in Swat valley have triggered the biggest humanitarian funding crisis in a decade.

Source: News