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FACTBOX-Pakistan's allies promise $224 mln for displaced
21 May 2009 13:23:58 GMT
Source: Reuters
(For main story click on [ID:nISL485720])

May 21 (Reuters) - Pakistan's allies promised $224 million in aid for about 1.5 million people displaced by an offensive against the Taliban after the government warned that the militants could exploit a failure to help.

The military launched an offensive this month in the picturesque Swat Valley and neighbouring districts to stop the spread of a Taliban insurgency that had raised fears for nuclear-armed Pakistan's future.

Following are some facts about the displaced.

- The number of people displaced by the fighting has risen to about 1.5 million, the United Nations said.

- They are joining about 555,000 displaced by earlier fighting in the northwest.

- Many thousands of people remain in the valley and the head of the government's relief effort said authorities were trying to ensure regular food supplies for them.

- The United Nations says about 48 percent of the displaced are children and the country faces a long-term humanitarian crisis.

- On average, about 100,000 people have been registered daily at 89 registration points, the U.N. refugee agency said.

- About 131,000 of the displaced are in 26 camps. The rest are staying with friends, relatives, in rented accommodation or in "spontaneous settlements" that have sprung up.

- Fifteen new camps set up this month are full and there is an urgent need to identify new sites and establish new camps, the U.N. refugee agency said.

- The U.N. refugee agency has opened stockpiles of supplies to help the displaced and has also airlifted in 120 tonnes of supplies including plastic sheets for shelters and mosquito nets.

- The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) has mobilised its in-country stocks and is feeding 900,000 people.

- The WFP has also established 17 humanitarian hubs to provide food and other help to people living with host families.

- The World Health Organisation (WHO) has delivered 20 mini-emergency health kits, enough for 120,000 people for one month.

- The health situation in districts hosting the displaced remains stable although an increase in cases of diarrhoea had been reported in some camps, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

- The U.N. children's agency, UNICEF, and its partners are providing 4.5 million litres of clean water a day to about 280,000 people, while more than 6,800 latrines and 3,400 bathing spaces have been built.

- The army, which played a major role in helping survivors of a big earthquake in 2005, is donating part of its rations to the relief effort, enough to feed about 80,000 adults a day.

- The United States has offered $110 million to help the displaced. Britain has donated 10 million pounds ($15.19 million). France has promised 12 million euros and Germany 1 million euros.

- The government aims to provide an initial 8 billion rupees ($99 million) for relief as well as 25,000 rupees ($310) directly to every displaced family.

- The United Nations is due to launch a "flash appeal" on Friday, aiming for up to $600 million. (Writing by Robert Birsel; Editing by Bill Tarrant)
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Internally displaced boys, fleeing military operations in the Swat valley region, play in a dust storm at the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) Yar Hussain camp in Swabi district, ...



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