IDPs of Pakistan

There is a very serious military offensive in the northern areas of Pakistan [Swat, Dir, Buner and adjacent locations] the offensive is to uproot the terrorists from the region but innocent Pakistanis are suffering and are actually being displaced out of that region migrating to safer regions like Mardan, Charsadda and Peshawar. They are fellow Pakistanis and they need our help.


According to Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre 2.4 million people were displaced due to this military operation.


Only some ten per cent are living in camps, while the majority have sought shelter with relatives or in rented accommodation and public buildings. With civilians continuing to flee the fighting, aid groups and government officials are concerned that host communities could also become destabilised as they use up money and resources to help the new arrivals. To respond to the massive internal displacement crisis, the United Nations and humanitarian agencies issued an appeal for $543 million in May, but so far only 22 per cent of the appeal has been funded.



The armed forces’ offensive began in three north-western districts in late April. The government has gained control of many parts of the contested region and according to army officials, the people displaced can start
returning to their areas of origin by 17 June. However, the army appears to be preparing for conflict on a new front as clashes have erupted across the tribal region of Waziristan in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Combat in FATA is likely to lead to another round of civilian displacements.



With an expected 500,000 people to be displaced from their residence, Swat Crisis is being termed as largest humanitarian and displacement crisis in recent times. Whether we support the military operation or not, these Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) need our help.



There could be other ways how we all can help make their suffering a little less – share you ideas but at the same time this is an appeal to all individuals, organizations, charities and NGOs in general and nationals of Pakistan in particular, whether resident or expat, to come forward and help by extending financial, technical and moral support to hundreds of thousands, feared to be displaced in Swat Crisis. If nothing else, please spread the word.

How you can help:

Besides sending cash through below mentioned charity organizations, you can support by providing following commodities. Please do not donate old/expired stuff. Make sure edible items are hygienic and properly packed.

• Clothing: Clothes of various sizes, Beddings, Shoes


• Utensils: Jerricans (large plastic cans that hold 20 liters of water or other liquids), Crockery, Buckets


• Toiletries: Tissues, Soaps, Dettol (antibacterial cleaners), Towels


• Food: Rice, Sugar, Flour (Atta), Onions, Potatoes, Cooking oil, Tea, Milk (tetra packs or powder), Safe drinking water, Cooked Food

Medicines:

1. Water purification tablets.


2. Life saving drugs.


3. Vaccines for malaria, cholera, typhoid, influenza.


4. Pain killers including strong ones like morphine derivatives, tremadol, pethadine, kinz.


5. Antibiotics e.g. tetnus, amoxil, gentamycin.


6. IV cannulas


7. IV Drip sets


8. IV drips: normal saline, ringerlactate


9. Local anesthetics (injections)


10. Cotton bandages, cotton.


11. Surgical instruments: e.g needle holders, forceps, tweezers.


12. Suturing materials, Skin staples.

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