Caritas is growing increasingly concerned about the impact of increasing insecurity in Pakistan and its impact on humanitarian relief operations.

Over two and a half million people are thought to have fled from the North West Frontier Province as a result of clashes between the Pakistan army and Taliban forces.

Caritas Internationalis is appealing for US $7 million to support 385,000 people who have fled their homes to avoid fighting in Pakistan.

The appeal was launched 1 June on behalf of the national member Caritas Pakistan and other Caritas members operational there: Caritas Switzerland, CRS (a Caritas member in the USA), Trocaire (Caritas Ireland), and Cordaid (Caritas Netherlands).

The response to the urgent needs of the people has been so far inadequate.

Trocaire Regional Representative in Pakistan Paul Healy said, “The world has forgotten about Pakistan. Or perhaps it is only thinking of this country in terms of ‘war on terror’ and bomb blasts. Innocent people who have been forced from their homes and are in real need of food, shelter, medicine, and counseling.”

Caritas says the humanitarian crisis would be even more severe if not for generosity and compassion of the local people. Most of those who’ve fled have found shelter with families and only 15 percent are in camps.

Caritas member organizations are busy supplying packages of food, non food items, hygiene kits and shelter materials. Caritas Pakistan has distributed mattresses, bed sheets, pillows, pedestal fans and a water Motor to the families staying in a church and a vocational institute in Mardan where displace families families including Christian, Hindu, and Sikhs have taken refuge. Caritas Pakistan has approached displaced families in Hassan Abdal to identify their needs.

The security concerns are getting worse day by day as there have been suicidal attacks on the government offices and a hotel in Peshawar used by foreigners.

For more information, please contact Patrick Nicholson on 0039 334 359 0700 or nicholson@caritas.va