Pakistan's Refugee Crisis

And in northwest Pakistan thousands of civilians are still being forced to flee their homes and live in refugee camps to avoid Taliban violence. The camps are overflowing after months of conflict in the region.
The latest refugees wander into the Kachagari camp in Peshawar Pakistan carrying their meager belongings on their heads. From now on this is home.

Rows of tents, basic conditions and an uncertain future is all that greet them.

The people here are Pakistanis who have been displaced by violence caused by a military offensive in Swat and the Bajaur tribal region against the Taliban, al Qaeda and other militant groups.

Security forces normally issue warnings for people to leave before they begin an offensive - marking the end of normal life for thousands.

[Aqal Khan, Displaced]:
"How can we go back? One, we don't have any means of going back. Secondly, how will we come back? The fact is that we have nothing to do with the Taliban or the (armed) forces. We are not afraid of them, but we are poor people who live from hand to mouth. That is why we had run away from there."

The camp opened in September last year - it now hosts more than 12, 000 people - and it is running out of room.

The coordinator says with the growing military operations they foresee a need to expand.

[Norman Liaquat, Camp Co-ordinator]:
"At present our biggest problem is of space. So far we have accommodated all the IDPs (internally displaced persons) who are here, but we are thinking of setting up another camp for people affected by the new operations."

These people live at the eye of a storm - not of their making.

Violence has increased in the region as Taliban fighters have extended their reach.

Western Allies need Pakistan to help them stabilize Afghanistan and defeat al Qaeda.

But instead they fear the country with its sagging economy, displaced people and increased militant attacks is sliding into chaos.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ntd
• ntdtv
• Pakistan
• Refugee
• Taliban
• Violence
• Camps
• Kachagari camp
• Peshawar
• al Qaeda
• Militant groups

[MbondoCalongo]

all of Middle East war are Forged by american

[mchigubu]

Shame. Poverty is pervasive to especially poor children and families!