The War on Terror has cost Pakistan more than any country in the world - both in terms of rise in militancy and plight of the people in the troubled areas of Pakistan. There is a general perception in Pakistan that the so called war has its sinister hidden agenda - laying hands on Pakistani nukes. One can see the events unfolding since Pakistan detonated its nuclear devices, the 9/11, US invasion of Iraq first in the plea of destroying weapons of mass destruction (which proved to be a big lie and hoax), then shift of US thrust to Afghanistan. and then rise of militancy in Pakistan (instead of Afghanistan) equipped with most modern means of fighting guerilla warfare and what not. And then US "concerns" of the safety of the Pak nuclear arsenal and ultimately taking over these to keep these somewhere, leaving Pakistan at the mercy of India, since Pak nukes are so far the only deterrence to thwart any aggression from India as was witnessed in 2002 year long eyeball to eyeball stand off)

Whatever may be the agenda, Pakistan and its people are paying the price. The recent military operation against the "Taliban" or people on Muslim disguise by the Pakistan Army in the northern areas of Pakistan (Swat, Dir, Buner and adjacent locations) to uproot the terrorists from the region has had a telling effect on the innocent Pakistanis who are suffering and are actually being displaced out of their homes and are since the start of the operation are migrating to safer regions like Mardan, Charsadda and Peshawar or even down country as far as Karachi.

Location Map of Internally Displaced Persons in Pakistan (From ReliefWeb)

As a rough estimate, over 2 million people have been displaced (many still stranded between the militants and the army). The recent crisis is being termed as largest humanitarian and displacement crisis in recent times. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has appealed for more than $17 million to help tens of thousands of people displaced by the conflict and floods in north-western Pakistan. We need to help these poor people who have become victim of a war not of their very own.

How you can help: Besides sending cash through below mentioned charity organizations, you can support by providing following commodities. Please do not donate old/expired stuff. Make sure edible items are hygienic and properly packed.
 

• Clothing: Clothes of various sizes, Beddings, Shoes
   

• Utensils: Jerri-cans (large plastic cans that hold 20 liters of water or other liquids), Crockery, Buckets
   

• Toiletries: Tissues, Soaps, Dettol (antibacterial cleaners), Towels
   

• Food: Rice, Sugar, Flour (Atta), Onions, Potatoes, Cooking oil, Tea, Milk (tetra packs or powder), Safe drinking water, Cooked Food
   

• Medicines: Bandages, Painkillers, Malaria/Cholera/Diarrhea/Flu medicine (Note: You can contact your local medical centers to get more guidelines on these.)
   

• We also need doctors and paramedic staff to augment the health care needs - specially female doctors and nurses to look after the female IDPs, mostly pregnant.
   

Some organizations that can be reached for donations:

• Edhi Foundation
   

• AGHAZ: NGO in Peshawar working with IDPs at Jalala Camp, Mardan. They need donations and volunteers.
   

• Pakistan Red Crescent Society: PRCS has offices in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Muzaffarabad.
   

• Sarhad Rural Support Programme
   

• Pakistan Social Association 1001407 Muslim Commercial Bank F10 Markaz Branch, Islamabad, Pakistan MCB swift Code: MUCBPKKA for International Donors
   

• UM Healthcare Trust: They have a medical facility in village Zahidabad, rural Mardan District and 4 km from the town of Rustum. Donate here.
   

• Brig Jaffer is responsible for mobilizing camps in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Call 92 -51- 2243111 or 0300 5004678 for donations and support
   

• RIPORT (based in Peshawar) is preparing an NGO response with a scheme called, “Lightening the Darkness” where they are hoping to provide electricity to IDPs. They are also examining the relatively easier project of providing medicine to camps. If you would like to volunteer/donate funds to these relief efforts, please call +92(91) 9211-8411

 If nothing else, please spread the word. They are poor people and they need our help

Read More

| Pakistan: Displacement | Swat Crisis: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Pakistan Need Our Help |

| Pakistan: Displacement ongoing in a number of regions | WFP Assists IDPs In Pakistan | 2.2 million IDPS in Pakistan: United Nations |