PAKISTAN

More than 2.4 million people were displaced by violence in north-west Pakistan’s Swat Valley and surrounding areas – the “largest and swiftest” displacement of civilians anywhere in the world in recent years. Some 260,000 found shelter in camps, but the vast majority have been staying with host families or in public buildings.

Thousands of displaced families are returning home under a government-sponsored repatriation programme, but many are not yet ready to go back. They worry about their safety and the lack of access to basic services and food back home. Others, whose homes were destroyed during the conflict, are worried about finding accommodation.

UNHCR was able to set up three camps in two days, and rushed to establish “humanitarian hubs” around the region where displaced families can receive food and non-food relief, including tents, shade cloth, plastic mats and kitchen sets. So far we have distributed relief packages to more than 160,000 displaced families – more than 1.1 million people.

Some 900,000 of the displaced have now returned home. We will provide support for the transport of vulnerable people wishing to return, and continue to distribute relief items to the displaced while assessing the emergency shelter needs of returnees.

Your donation can bring emergency relief to a vulnerable family.

Reporting on Pakistan’s Swat Valley is decreasing as violence in the region calms. But for the 1.5 million still living in makeshift shelter, afraid or unable to return home, and dependent on agencies such as UNHCR, the crisis is far from over. Below is a selection of some of the more recent articles in the media and from UNHCR’s news team which highlight present concerns.

Homesick but reluctant to go back - UNHCR News

UNHCR pays tribute to fallen colleagues - UNHCR News

Life, death and the Taliban: Blowback - Reuters