10 September 2009

In Pakistan, host communities house hundreds of thousands

  1. This grandfather is the sole carer for his grandchildren in one of Pakistan’s camps. His son has remained with the family home and belongings.
  2. An elderly woman now living in the Jalala camp for internally displaced persons in Pakistan.
  3. A young boy with his food ration in a camp in the Swabi district of Pakistan.
  4. A young Pakistani boy waits in line for food at a displacement camp. (c) Faisal Mahmood /Reuters
  5. These internally displaced children sit with their water bowls at Jalala camp in Pakistan. (c) Mian Kursheed /Reuters
  6. A camp for displaced people in the Swabi district of Pakistan.
  7. Children on a truck fleeing the conflict zone in the Swat Valley in Pakistan (c) Faisal Mahmood /Reuters
  8. Internally displaced families flee military operations in Swabi district, 150km northwest of Islamabad, Pakistan. (c) REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood
  9. In Pakistan, a family and their belongings waits by the road for a truck to take them away from the conflict zone. (c) Faisal Mahmood /Reuters
  10. This young boy sits on the rubble remains of his home in Swat Valley, Pakistan

Published 22 May 2009

While ongoing fighting and the plight of displaced people in camps across North West Pakistan continue to draw worldwide attention, World Vision’s focus has turned increasingly to small distributions and home deliveries to host families and shelters. Right now, within Pakistan’s conflict zone, there are hundreds of thousands of people displaced in "host communities".

"World Vision has built strong relationships in the communities of North West Frontier Province over several years. Our significant and effective response to the 2005 earthquake has inspired a degree of trust which has allowed us to enter this fragile area," said Graham Strong, World Vision Country Director for Pakistan.

"We recognise that what the displaced want most is to retain their dignity during this extraordinary crisis, but – culturally - there’s little dignity in a refugee camp or mass feeding depot. Our tailored, personal method for providing aid protects the fundamental cultural need for honour and dignity," he added.

As the first responder in the conflict zone in Buner district, World Vision launched an ambitious distribution of basic survival items to families scattered around the region. World Vision’s concern is the limited capacity of host communities to support a 30-35% population increase that has occurred in just over a week.  

“Imagine the chaos if 30 people arrived on your doorstep, and 30 more on the doorstep of every house in your neighbourhood," said the Country Director.

In the short term, World Vision plans to support host families and communities by providing food supplies, and longer term shelter opportunities, as well as helping families to access education and health care.

In addition to short term relief efforts, World Vision has long term plans for the communities.  After the 2005 earthquake, World Vision committed to providing those affected with community-driven development and livelihoods projects. The organisation is planning to apply a similar approach in Buner, assuring community participation and ownership.

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