'US, UAE provide $51m for N Waziristan IDPs'

Since the start of operation 572,529 IDPs, belonging to 44,633 families have been registered.

ISLAMABAD: The United States has extended an assistance of $31 million, while the government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) has released $20.5 million for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of North Wazirstan on humanitarian grounds.

According to a detailed report submitted to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, so far 572,529 IDPs, belonging to 44,633 families, have been registered since the beginning of the Zarb-e-Azb operation in mid June, 2014.

The report also stated that the finance ministry has released Rs1.5 billion so far to provide relief to the IDPs.

The premier was informed that an amount of Rs329.568 million has been distributed among 27,664 displaced families as financial support, while 4,500 tons of relief goods have also been distributed among 31,000 registered families by the federal government with the assistance of Pakistan Army and the World Food Program (WFP).

The report further states that about 5,000 food packages, weighing 110kg each, are being distributed every day through 11 food distribution points among the affected people. Non-food items have also been distributed among 31,000 IDPs families.

The prime minister was apprised that as per the premier’s orders, from July 8, 2014, each registered IDP family will receive compensation through Zong Mobile SIMs under a transparent mechanism. Beneficiaries would be allowed to collect their money from mobile franchises, retailers and banks.

The report further revealed that arrangements have been made to ensure uninterrupted power in IDP camps, while temporary mosques have been built to facilitate families living in the camps. Medical facilities, including services of doctors and medicines, especially for treatment of sun strokes, cramps in legs and polio vaccination, have been established at the IDP camps.

Rescue 1122 has provided three state-of-the-art ambulances along with necessary staff for assistance of displaced persons in emergencies. Fifteen mobile veterinary clinics have also been established in Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Karak and Tank, in which more than 20,000 animals belonging to the IDPs have been treated, while more than 42,000 animals have so far been vaccinated.

Pakistan Army has also established 33 points across the country for the collection of donations from the general public.