ID :
18287
Sun, 09/07/2008 - 10:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/18287
The shortlink copeid
Red Cross says situation in Pakistan's tribal areas along Afghan border
Geneva, Sept 6 PPI: International Committee of Red Cross says the situation in Pakistan's tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan is ``increasingly volatile.''
ICRC is providing life-saving assistance to tens of thousands of people who have
been forced to flee their homes by fighting between government and opposition forces
in Bajaur tribal agency.
The dramatic intensification of fighting in Bajaur Agency has caused between 200,000
and 300,000 people to flee their homes. ICRC says 80 percent of those displaced are
women and children who fled to Lower Dir, Marden and Peshawar in Northwest Frontier
Province.
ICRC Head of delegation in Pakistan, Pascal Cuttat says about 50,000 people are
concentrated in makeshift tented camps. About 14,000 people have fled across the
border to Afghanistan.
"It says a lot about the situation these people fled from if they cross the border
into Afghanistan and felt safer there. These people had left, as I said before, they
had left so fast with virtually nothing that they needed," he said.
Cuttat described the situation as very fluid. People are constantly on move. When
conditions appear to have calmed down, many return home. When fighting escalates
between warring parties, he says they are likely to flee again. Red Cross is
planning to provide assistance for around 60-thousand people until end of year. But,
he notes number of beneficiaries is likely to keep changing as this pattern of
unstable movements continue.
The most immediate needs are access to clean water and sanitation. "No food, no
health, no shelter is going to be of any good if people get water-borne diseases.
You have to imagine situation with people who are very crowded together in very hot
environment in unclean environment. These people are not used to living in this kind
of concentration and for cultural sensitivity stay away from each other."
Cholera is endemic in this region. Cuttat warns there could be a lethal outbreak of
disease if displaced are not provided with clean water and sanitation they need.
The conditions in Pakistan and Afghanistan are closely linked. If fighting
intensifies on one side of border, he says it will affect other side and provoke a
humanitarian crisis.
ICRC is providing life-saving assistance to tens of thousands of people who have
been forced to flee their homes by fighting between government and opposition forces
in Bajaur tribal agency.
The dramatic intensification of fighting in Bajaur Agency has caused between 200,000
and 300,000 people to flee their homes. ICRC says 80 percent of those displaced are
women and children who fled to Lower Dir, Marden and Peshawar in Northwest Frontier
Province.
ICRC Head of delegation in Pakistan, Pascal Cuttat says about 50,000 people are
concentrated in makeshift tented camps. About 14,000 people have fled across the
border to Afghanistan.
"It says a lot about the situation these people fled from if they cross the border
into Afghanistan and felt safer there. These people had left, as I said before, they
had left so fast with virtually nothing that they needed," he said.
Cuttat described the situation as very fluid. People are constantly on move. When
conditions appear to have calmed down, many return home. When fighting escalates
between warring parties, he says they are likely to flee again. Red Cross is
planning to provide assistance for around 60-thousand people until end of year. But,
he notes number of beneficiaries is likely to keep changing as this pattern of
unstable movements continue.
The most immediate needs are access to clean water and sanitation. "No food, no
health, no shelter is going to be of any good if people get water-borne diseases.
You have to imagine situation with people who are very crowded together in very hot
environment in unclean environment. These people are not used to living in this kind
of concentration and for cultural sensitivity stay away from each other."
Cholera is endemic in this region. Cuttat warns there could be a lethal outbreak of
disease if displaced are not provided with clean water and sanitation they need.
The conditions in Pakistan and Afghanistan are closely linked. If fighting
intensifies on one side of border, he says it will affect other side and provoke a
humanitarian crisis.
