ISLAMABAD: The United Nations on Friday appealed for a total of $543 million to help 1.7 million people displaced by the ongoing military offensive in the Swat valley. A UN statement said the figure included $88.5 million, which had already been provided or committed by donors but aid agencies and non-governmental organisations needed $454.6 million in extra funds urgently to help the internally displaced persons (IDPs).The money is also needed to provide continuing support to 550,000 people who had fled the situation since August last year.
| Or you could just wipe out the Taliban and let the IDPs return home ... |
“The scale of this displacement is extraordinary in terms of size and speed, and has caused incredible suffering,” the statement quoted the acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator Martin Mogwanja, as saying. “We are calling for generous support from the international community, in addition to the assistance being provided by both ordinary families and the national authorities,” the statement said.
UN agencies and Pakistani and international relief groups were “working together to ensure we get relief to people as quickly as possible”, the statement said.
Economic Affairs Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said Islamabad backed the humanitarian appeal. “The government of Pakistan fully supports the appeal,” Hina said.