350,000 Displaced Following Pakistan Army Offensive

INSURGENCY
TERRORISM
MASS DISPLACEMENT
SCENARIOS 444, 411, 202, 070, 04
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Pakistanis  fleeing North Waziristan amid army offensive against Taliban

At least 350,000 people have fled their homes since the start of an army offensive against Taliban militants in Pakistan’s North Waziristan a week ago, officials say.

While most of them are internally displaced, many entering the nearest town of Banu, a large number of the refugees have fled into the eastern parts of Afghanistan, mostly arriving in the districts of Gurboz, Khost (Matun), Tanni, Nadir Shah Kot and Mando Zai in Khost province, according to UNHCR and other sources.

“The newly arrived women, men and children have trekked the mountainous terrains across Pakistan’s border to seek safety. People are being accommodated with local Afghan communities for now. However, Afghan hosting communities have limited absorption capacity and resources. The urgent needs include shelter, clean drinking water and sanitation,” said the UN refugee agency.

The military offensive began a week ago after a deadly attack on Karachi international airport, claimed jointly by an Uzbek militant group and the Pakistani Taliban.

More than 70,000 children aged 12 or younger are among the refugees, according to FIRE-EARTH Population Models.

“Many of them have never been vaccinated for highly-infectious diseases—like polio—because of a Taliban-imposed ban,” said a report.

North Waziristan has a population of about seven million, and 80% of them are still living in the area as the military strikes escalate, officials said.

Inside Pakistan, the government has confirmed that many of the people have been displaced internally from North Waziristan into the Banu, Dera Ismail Khan and Tank areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

Related Links

• Global Forced Displacement Highest Since WW2 posted on June 20, 2014

States of Emergency Declared in Wisconsin, South Dakota, Ontario…

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
TORNADOES
HIGH WIND
HAIL
STATES OF EMERGENCY
SCENARIOS 111, 088, 066, 023
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State of Emergency declared in three Wisconsin counties

Gov. Walker has declared a state of emergency for three Wisconsin counties after six tornadoes touchdown in Dane, Green and Grant Counties.

The tornadoes ranged from F-1 to F-3, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Damaging winds and hail were also reported in the affected areas.

SD Declares a State of Emergency

Gov. Daugaard has declared a State of Emergency following severe flooding affecting southeastern South Dakota.

Canada

Ontario: The town Angus is currently under a state of emergency after a tornado touched down Tuesday night, tearing up fences and shearing off the tops of homes, said a report.

Alberta: Nine communities remain under states of emergency amid floods that have affected thousands of people. The communities that had declared states of emergency include Claresholm, Coalhurst, Cardston, Coaldale, the Blood Indian Reserve, Medicine Hat, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, the Municipal District of Willow Creek and Lethbridge County, according to the provincial officials.