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Released 8 July 2009
The Salvation Army in Pakistan is providing vital
assistance to families forced from their homes by fighting. Many villages in
Pakistan's western border areas have been hit by violence as separatists and
pro-Taliban militants fight government forces. According to provincial
government reports, hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by the
fighting and the latest reports say that more than 1.9 million people have been
registered as ‘internally displaced persons' (IDPs). They are living in
schools, camps and with families in host communities - wherever they can find
shelter.
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Salvation Army team members distribute bags of essential items
Displaced families gather by their Salvation Army tents
A group of Salvation Army tents
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Fatima, a girl of
around 11 years old, is one of the almost two million IDPs. She used to live in
the Swat Valley with her parents but as the violence increased Fatima's family
fled and travelled with large groups of IDPs searching for a safe place to
stay. In the chaos that followed, Fatima and her parents became separated.
After much searching and many struggles she found her uncle and she is now
staying with him. She still has no idea where her parents are, but she clings
to the hope that they are well and that she will find them again.
Because of The Salvation
Army's good reputation and previous experience of responding in emergency
circumstances the authorities in Pakistan requested the movement's assistance
with the huge problem of accommodation. There are several IDP camps and The
Salvation Army is now working in one of these - Mazadoor Camp. Salvationists
working at the camp met Fatima while distributing tents, basic cooking
utensils, mats, pillows and quilts.
Nazir A. is also living in the camp. He
used to live in
Malakand Division, where he had a grocery shop. His business was thriving but
when the fighting broke out he had to leave everything behind. When The
Salvation Army distributed bags containing cooking utensils he expressed his
gratitude for the assistance he had been given.
The Salvation Army in
Pakistan is working hard to assist people like Fatima, Nazir A. and the
hundreds of thousands of other people who need help. Team members are providing
assistance with urgently needed essentials but their presence also gives people
the knowledge that someone actually cares about them and that they are not
forgotten.
Donations to the South Asia Disaster Fund can be made online
by visiting http://secure.salvationarmy.org