Caritas Internationalis is appealing for US $7 million to support 385,000 people who have fled their homes to avoid fighting in Pakistan.

Over two and a half million people are thought to have fled from the North West Frontier Province as a result of clashes between the Pakistan army and Taliban forces.

Caritas will target people living in host communities. Around 80 percent are being hosted in schools, private homes, public buildings, and with relatives, with the rest in camps.

‘The needs of the people are high. They come from much cooler places and are not used to the heat. This causes health problems and access to healthcare is limited.

“Many of people had to run on very short notice and were unable to take anything with them. There is shortage of food and clean drinking water. Women and children are especially vulnerable,’ said Eric Dayal, National Coordinator of Caritas Pakistan.

Caritas members have already distributed bedding, electric fans to cope with the high temperatures, 2400 tents, and targeting 1000 households with cooking utensils, mosquito nets and hygiene products.

Other distributions will start within a week.

Five Caritas member organisations are operational in Pakistan: Caritas Pakistan, Caritas Switzerland, Trocaire (Caritas Ireland), CRS (a Caritas member from the USA), and Cordaid (Caritas Netherlands).

They will work together with the support of the Caritas confederation of 164 members.

Cordaid is focusing on health by supporting medical mobile teams. Trocaire aims to work on protection of vulnerable people especially women and girls as well as distribution of aid items. Caritas Switzerland will distribute food and other aid items. CRS is working on providing clean water and sanitation, shelter and other aid items. Caritas Pakistan is working on health, shelter, and distribution hygiene items.

For more information contact the Caritas Communications Officer in Pakistan Jos de Voogd on 0031 612991279 or Jos.de.voogd@cordaid.nl Interviews are available in Dutch, German and English.