UN EXTENDS HELP TO NEWLY DISPLACED IN NORTH-WEST PAKISTAN

UN EXTENDS HELP TO NEWLY DISPLACED IN NORTH-WEST PAKISTAN
New York, Feb 10 2009 2:10PM
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is expanding its relief operation to assist those fleeing fighting – which the world body estimates currently stands at 450,000 people but could climb to 600,000 shortly – in north-west Pakistan.

Last weekend, the first in a series of UN convoys took urgently-needed supplies to Mingora, at the edge of the North-West Frontier Province's (NWFP) Swat Valley, where hostilities between the army and militants has stepped up recently. Further deliveries this week will bring supplies – including blankets, plastic sheets, buckets and other items from <"http://www.unhcr.org/home.html">UNHCR – for an initial 3,000 families.

"UNHCR is encouraged by the safe arrival and return of the first UN convoy of supplies to this dangerous region of Pakistan where curfews and general insecurity hamper relief efforts," agency spokesperson Ron Redmond <"http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/media?page=home&id=4991661b15">said. "But much more needs to be done."

In other parts of NWFP, over 100 families are sheltering in a camp near Peshawar. Since the start of clashes in Bajaur agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) last August, more people have moved into urban areas, but their resources are being depleted.

Mr. Redmond said that UNHCR is assisting both camps and those living outside the sites through the provision of sleeping mats, kitchen sets and other supplies to over 6,000 families in Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Lower Dir, Upper Dir and Kohat.

Further, the agency has been helping the Pakistani Government register the displaced. To date, nearly 65,000 people in camps and 245,000 people outside these sites have been registered.

UNHCR is appealing for an additional $17 million to help the uprooted in Pakistan, and the overall UN appeal is still seeking nearly $100 million in funding.
Feb 10 2009 2:10PM
________________

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/