Bonn. Welthungerhilfe is warning that the continuing fighting in the north of Pakistan could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe if those affected do not receive aid quickly. 'The number of refugees from the disputed Swat Valley has increased to at least 1.4 million - which roughly corresponds to the population of Munich' reports Marco Obermüller, Welthungerhilfe's Desk Officer in Pakistan.
Many families are forced by the dramatic situation to leave their houses and their home region for an indefinite period of time. In some cases they must cover dozens of kilometers on foot to reach safety, and in doing so they are exposed without any protection to the blazing sun and heat in temperatures of between 35 and 40 degrees centigrade. Small children and the elderly suffer most under the arduous, life-threatening conditions. Although outside the area affected by the conflict many find temporary refuge with relatives, due to the sudden influx of family members from the Swat Valley the households are suddenly growing in size from an average of seven people to at least 50 people. 'An unbearable situation for all concerned' says Obermüller.
What is chiefly lacking is clean drinking water. In two districts in the north of the country, Madan and Swabi, Welthungerhilfe is improving the drinking water supplies for 5,000 refugees: it is building 35 wells and installing the hand pumps needed for them so that those driven from their homes can get clean drinking water quickly and easily. As a further measure to prevent diarrhoea and similar diseases the people are being given hygiene packs with soap and detergent.
Marco Obermüller is available for interviews on request.
Welthungerhilfe is also supporting three reconstruction programmes in Pakistan following the earthquake in 2005.
Further information is available at www.welthungerhilfe.de
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
A soldier keeps guard at the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) Jalozai camp about 140 km (87 miles) northwest of Pakistan's capital Islamabad May 19, 2009. Pakistani soldiers battled ...
