Future uncertain for many Pakistani displaced persons: ICRC

ISLAMABAD, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Most of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned home in recent weeks, but the future of many remains uncertain because of continuing fighting, the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Thursday.

"Fighting is still taking place in parts of Malakand Division," said Benno Kocher, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Peshawar, the capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

"Despite substantial progress in some districts over the past few weeks, there remain areas where the population may not be safe and may not be able to obtain food, clean water and medical services," Kocher said.

The ICRC is seeking greater access to areas still affected by fighting, notably in Dir, to distribute emergency food rations and evacuate the wounded.

"We hope to assist over 150,000 returnees in coming weeks, but our ability to do so will depend on the security on the ground and on access," said Kocher.

A UN humanitarian officer in Pakistan said Thursday that over 600,000 IDPs have returned to their homes out of total 2.2 million displaced during the conflict in different areas of NWFP.

The relatively stable situation in southern Swat has enabled most displaced people to return there. Life in Mingora, the district capital, is getting back to normal. Whenever curfews are lifted, residents are able to purchase readily available food at decent prices and farmers are back to tending their fields.

The security situation west of Mingora remains volatile, however. Many families hoping to return to villages there are choosing instead to remain in Mingora. The poor security has also generally prevented the ICRC from operating west of Mingora, although it did deliver medical supplies to the local Red Crescent basic health unit.

The ICRC hospital for the weapon-wounded in Peshawar has admitted 30 patients within the past week. There are now 73 patients in the hospital, where surgeons have recently performed 81 operations.