Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – The exodus of refugees from the Swat Valley, where fighting continues to take place between the Pakistani Army and Taliban forces, has taken its toll on two of Pakistans largest cities located near the area. At least 2,000 families, divided into 8 makeshift camps, are living on the outskirts of the capital city of Islamabad and in Rawalpindi. “An authentic humanitarian crisis is underway, as the refugees are living in absolute misery, completely dependent on health-sanitary aid, food, and medicine,” Fides was told by local Church sources that wish to remain anonymous.
Thousands of people have in fact surpassed the limit of the camps erected by the UNHCR in the areas surrounding the Swat Valley, which are now overcrowded and at their maximum capacity, and thus they have continued on to Islamabad and Rawalpindi, where they hope to encounter a better fate.
“But the situation is serious: this is a sudden emergency that has caught the local authorities and citizens unprepared. There was no place prepared for them...The main threat, which has been mentioned by the national health authorities, is that of an outbreak of diseases, due to the lack of hygienic services,” Fides sources say.
“The civil authorities in the two cities are trying to establish shelters and provide minimum services. The local citizens are not happy with this onslaught of people without anything, forced to beg. Appeals for solidarity, for food, shoes, clothing, etc. continue. There are no NGOs currently taking care of these crowds of people.”
The network of movements and Catholic associations is organizing itself to offer humanitarian aid. Missionaries of Charity, Caritas, the Focolare Movement and other Church groups are working to offer basic supplies to the refugees. “We will try to practice Christian charity with these poor people, who are for the most part Muslim,” our source commented. The hope is that the violence in the Swat may soon cease, that the army can regain control of the territory, and the refugees can return to their homes and villages. All they have is a little house, a small field, and perhaps a few cattle, which they hope to return to as soon as possible. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/5/2009)
