Saturday July 4, 2009, 12:55 pm
The current scale of displacement in Pakistan rivals that of the wars in Rwanda and Bosnia.

An average of 1,800 people per day continue to arrive at Jalozai camp, which is being expanded as other camps in northwest Pakistan have overflowed with desperate families. The new arrivals - a mix of men, women, and children – were previously staying with relatives or in public buildings with other displaced people.

In all the organized camps, the UN Refugee Agency is continuing to improve conditions, providing basic shelter and relief assistance, building shade structures over tents to relieve the heat, developing infrastructure such as lighting and fencing, and preparing for the upcoming monsoon season.

Outside of camps, the agency has mobilized staff this week to distribute relief items to almost 25,000 people staying with relatives or in schools in Charsadda, Nowshera and Mardan districts. These life-saving essentials include shelter, plastic sheeting, water containers, kitchen sets, and mosquito nets.
Some displaced people in northwest Pakistan have visited their homes to harvest crops, secure cattle or to help bring additional family members, especially the elderly, who were initially left behind because they could not move quickly. Unfortunately, the war has left many families with no home or possessions to which to return.

Motorola Foundation supports UN Refugee Agency’s work in Pakistan

USA for UNHCR is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Motorola Foundation to support the UN Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR) life-saving work in Pakistan.

After company employees in Pakistan witnessed firsthand the vital aid UNHCR was providing, the Motorola Foundation made an immediate major grant to support emergency operations in the region. These funds are helping UNHCR provide victims of violence in Swat Valley with urgently needed shelter, protection, food, water, and medical care.

You can help make the difference too…donate now to support Pakistan relief.

Sincerely,

Marc Breslaw
Executive Director
USA for UNHCR

http://tinyurl.com/mjfosz

Saturday July 4, 2009, 2:19 pm
My heart goes out to the denizens of Pakistan. I am doubly concerned as my sister with her family and my uncle with his family are currently in Pakistan to attend the marraige of a close relative. God bless the people of Pakistan.