Pakistan: civilians struggle as fighting continues around them

26-06-2009 Photo Collection

Some 2.5 million people have fled the fighting in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan since early May. They are staying with host families or in camps outside areas directly affected by the fighting, often with extremely limited access to clean water, electricity, medical care and communications.

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Sayeed Wahid from Swat, showing off his three-day-old grandson.

Born at the Shah Mansoor camp in Swabi District – which shelters more than 20, 000 internally displaced people (IDPs) – the baby is blissfully unaware of the turmoil around him. His father remained in the area where the fighting is taking place.

In Swat, Dir and Buner districts, where fighting has been intense, tens of thousands remain in difficult conditions, often with extremely limited access to clean water, electricity, medical care and communications.

The ICRC works closely with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and other Red Cross and Red Crescent partners to assist thousands of people caught up in the current crisis in the areas engulfed in hostilities and beyond. In the recent past it has stepped up its operations in Pakistan and its support for the PRCS significantly.

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