| The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Thursday appealed to donors for another $26 million in financial aid for Pakistan, stepping up its relief operation in the country by extending it to the Swat valley. "The ICRC is preparing to launch relief operations in and around Mingora, where fighting has disrupted the basic services and forced thousands to flee," said Pascal Cuttat, head of the ICRC in Pakistan. "At the moment, the ICRC is the only major humanitarian organisation assisting civilians living in Swat, Dir and Buner, where fierce fighting has taken place," he added in a statement. Cuttat said the aid would include support for IDPs who decide to return home on their free will. After the appeal, the ICRC budget for its Pakistan operation would stand at over $59 million, making it the agency's third largest worldwide. |