CARE International fears that women and children are being disproportionately affected as more than 500,000 flee fighting between the Taliban and the military in Pakistan. Thousands more could be on the move in the coming days. “They leave with nothing but the clothing on their backs”, says Zahid Mahmood, Emergency Coordinator for CARE International in Pakistan.

There are reports from CARE that there is a severe shortage of female medical staff in the camps where people are taking shelter. For cultural reasons, women and girls are reluctant to have treatment from male medical staff.

“There is need for shelter and non-food essentials - particularly women's hygiene materials”, reports Daw Mohamed, Assistant Country Director for CARE International in Pakistan. “Many of the tens of thousands that have fled the violence in the North West region are injured, but access to medical care for most people in the camps is a problem.”

In the past few days more than 485,000 new displaced people have been registered, of which 15 per cent now reside in camps. The people staying in camps do not have money for transport to access district medical services or other health facilities in nearby areas. CARE calls for donations to provide relief assistance. CARE’s emergency team is coordinating with other aid agencies in the region to conduct assessments of the needs in the camps and in the communities hosting displaced families. CARE will respond with the assistance of local partner organisations.

In addition to medical care there is a need for psychosocial support, especially for women and children. "Many of these people are already traumatised from the firing and shelling they've survived. Children are terrified now whenever there is a loud noise, like the sound of helicopters and planes flying over the camps," said Mr. Mohamed. "Injured minds need treatment as much as injured bodies."

Hundreds of thousands of people are staying with host families in the region, and the resources of host communities are already being stretched to accommodate the influx. The existing camps do not have the capacity to house the 500,000 people the UN estimates could ultimately be displaced by the fighting. Most of the fleeing Pakistanis were unable to bring basic household items with them. While some families have received tents, the majority are without shelter and do not have basic items such as clothing, bedding, hygiene materials, pots, pans, and plates. Access to water remains a concern, and although water is being supplied to the camps using tankers the supply is inadequate and irregular. In addition, many of the camps lack adequate and appropriate latrine facilities.

Notes to Editors: 

About CARE International: CARE is one of the world’s largest aid agencies, working in 70 countries to fight poverty and helping more than 65 million people every year. Our long-term programmes tackle the deep-seated causes of poverty and we are always among the first to respond when disaster strikes. We remain with communities to help them rebuild their lives long after the cameras have gone. For more information, visit www.careinternational.org.uk

For spokespeople in Pakistan, please contact Amber Meikle on 0207 9349348