Half of the displaced are children; 80% have little or no access to healthcare
A influx of about half a million (63,000 families) internally displaced into the Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province, has sparked grave concerns among international and national NGOs in Pakistan, according to a Joint Press Release by Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF) and National Humanitarian Network (NHN).
Military operations against non-state armed groups in Khyber Agency have prompted the mass displacement since January 2012. “The situation is particularly critical as the government states it could last up to six months while the humanitarian community expects that families will not be able to return until early 2013. There are also fears that 20,000 more families will be displaced as the conflict spreads to other parts of Khyber Agency.” PHF reported.
Children account for half of the displacement figures.
- 12% of the displaced are under the age of 2
- 16% are less than 5 years old
- 13% of children are reportedly suffering from psychological distress
- Three in five families cannot afford even basic school expenses
“Assessments by members of the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum and the National Humanitarian Network show considerable emergency needs and significant protection concerns with families living in overcrowded conditions with little food or water, limited sanitation facilities or healthcare supplies, and limited to no opportunities to earn an income.”
“The displaced residing in host communities are stretching limited resources further, there is an urgent need to commence registration and distribution of emergency supplies and services to IDPs that have settled off camp and to deliver support to host communities to cater for the additional demands levied on these communities as a result of the displacement,” said the NHN spokesperson.
“Assessments conducted off camp in the Districts of Peshawar, Nowshera and Kohat, where the internally displaced persons (IDP) concentration is high, has revealed alarming information. Nearly half of families displaced are unregistered, excluding them from receiving any aid. Over 40% of families struggle to find shelter. About 80 % of families assessed said they have little or no access to healthcare or medicines and are dependent on the minimal income earned by men securing work as daily wage labourers,” said the head of PHF.
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