Humanitarian assistance: UN allocates $10m to assist IDPs
Over one million affected persons to receive food, water, sanitation services.
Over one million affected persons to receive food, water, sanitation services. PHOTO: REUTERS
The United Nations’ Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated $10 million for humanitarian assistance to more than one million displaced persons in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).
The funds will support the provision of food aid and water, sanitation and hygiene services for 900,000 people, emergency primary health care for 350,000 people and nutrition services for 39,000 people, including malnourished children.
The funds will also facilitate aid agencies in providing emergency shelter and non-food items and responding the educational needs of those affected.
“Despite dwindling resources, over a million people affected by the emergency in North-Western Pakistan are still receiving humanitarian assistance from various organisations,” said UN Pakistan Resident Coordinator Timo Pakkala.
“This CERF contribution is very timely. However, we must do more to meet the immediate humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable displaced people,” added Pakkala.
In June and July, over 67,000 people returned to safe areas in Bajaur, Kurram, Mohmand and South Waziristan agencies in Fata. Humanitarian partners provided them with transport, food and basic services.
Humanitarian partners in Pakistan have so far received $191 million since January this year for essential operations in K-P and Fata. An estimated $129 million is still required to cover the provision of basic services to the affected people till December.
Overall, CERF has provided $13.9 million for K-P and Fata in 2013. Pakistan is the fifth largest recipient of CERF funding with $158 million.
For 2013, donors have so far pledged over $420 million in support of the fund.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 20th, 2013.