Pakistan: IDPs Need More Attention And Help

The recent bombing in the lone five star hotel of Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province and tribal areas has affected the relief operation for IDPs of Malakand Division and tribal areas very badly as the representatives of United Nations and other donor agencies have left Peshawar in a hurry. According to newspaper reports, some six UN officials have been killed in the attack.

The mass exoduse of UN officials from Peshawar has very negative impact on the relief operation for the IDPs, who have been forced to leave their homes as Pakistan Army has been conducting a big operation against terrorists. The government of NWFP has been needing immediate funding to keep the relief operation for IDPs continue. According to rough estimate, at least three million people have been forced to leave their homes.

The Emergency Response Unit established by the government of NWFP for controlling and monitoring the relief operation has also been facing financial crunch. According to observers, if the UN and other donor agencies feeling difficulties in reaching to IDPs, then it should provide resources to ERU as it can carry out the relief operation effectively.

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