ISLAMABAD - The United Nations’ Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated $10 million through its under-funded emergencies window for humanitarian assistance to more than one million people in northwestern part of Pakistan, the world body said on Monday.
These people have been remained displaced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas due to insecurity since 2008. The funds will support the provision of life-saving food aid and critical water, sanitation and hygiene services for 900,000 people; emergency primary health care for 350,000 people; and nutrition services for 39,000 people, including malnourished children, a press release said. The funds will also allow agencies to provide emergency shelter and non-food items and respond to protection and education needs of people affected by insecurity in KP and FATA, it added.
“Despite dwindling resources, over a million people affected by the emergency in northwestern Pakistan are still receiving humanitarian assistance from different humanitarian organisations in the camps, hosting areas and in the areas of return,” said Timo Pakkala, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan. “This CERF contribution is very timely. However, we must do more to meet the immediate humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable displaced people.”
The UN and its humanitarian partners are delivering humanitarian assistance in support of government-led relief and recovery support to displaced people and returnees. In June and July, more than 67,000 people returned to safe areas in Bajaur, Kurram, Mohmand and South Waziristan agencies in FATA. Humanitarian partners provided them with return packages, including transport, non-food items, food and basic services, the statement said.
According to the press release, humanitarian partners in Pakistan have so far received $191 million since January 2013 for essential humanitarian operations in KPK and FATA. An estimated $129 million is still needed to continue basic services for the temporarily displaced people and returnees between now and December.
The CERF has provided $13.9 million for the emergency in KPK and FATA in 2013. Pakistan is the fifth-largest recipient of CERF funding at a total of $158 million.