UN expresses concern about displaced families in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, July 9 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Wednesday expressed its appreciation for the cooperation with the Pakistani government, while expressing concern about the internally displaced persons (IDPs) for the coming monsoon.

During a visit to Peshawar, Mardan and Swabi, in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP), UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes said he is concerned about some groups still having difficulty with the registration process and about preparations for the monsoon.

For their part, the government representatives noted their concern about the difficult conditions faced by the displaced, and about the resumption of education when the school year begins on Sept. 1, given that the displaced are currently sheltering in over 3,700 schools in the Province.

The visit to Mardan and Swabi provided a glimpse of the complex mix of displacement in this crisis -- with around 90 percent of the two million displaced in spontaneous settlements, rented accommodation or with host families, and only some 280,000 in camps. Despite widely varying circumstances, all are suffering in the extreme heat.

"A common thread running through my discussions with the displaced was that they all want to go home as soon as possible. Many told me they would leave this very afternoon -- if conditions were right. But they need to be sure that they will be safe when they go back, that basic services are there, and most importantly that they will not have to leave their homes again," Holmes said during the visit.

After visiting Sang-e-Marmar hub, where hundreds of displaced living in non-camp situations were receiving rations from UN World Food Programme and non-food items from UNHCR and UNICEF, Holmes ended the day with a visit to Yar Hussain camp in Swabi district. The camp is home to almost 30,000 displaced people hailing mainly from Buner district.

"We still need to do more to help people both now and in the coming months," Holmes said, "In particular, we must do more to help the host families and communities, who have shown incredible generosity. Those who will remain displaced will need help for some time, and those who go back will need help for six months to make sure they can stand on their own feet again."

Thursday Holmes will travel to Buner District in the NWFP.