| Displaced by Conflict – Humanitarian Assistance |
| In May 2009 the military action against militants in northwestern Pakistan forced an estimated two million people to flee their homes. Behind these statistics are tragic stories. |
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“I was forced to leave my young disabled daughter behind as she cannot walk and I could not carry her as we traveled on foot. I placed all available food in the house near her bedside and have left her in God's care.” |
| A displaced woman from Swat |
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In each school the Foundation will provide food and water, and other essential items like floor mats, hand fans, soaps, etc. The following are details of relief items per family (average family size is 7) and per school (estimated 50 families per school): |
| As the serene valleys of Swat, Buner and other parts of north western Pakistan had gradually turned into the valleys of fear, hate and uncertainty, their people had lived in mistrust and terror. And once the military action started they were forced to leave all their personal belongings, their businesses, their work, their lands, their harvest and livestock. Some even left their family members in search of security and peace. Few were able to use the limited transport available. Most had made the long and arduous journey to safety on foot. Not surprisingly, most arrived at various secure places in a state of shock with little to comfort or sustain them. |
| The bulk of the exodus from conflict zones made its way to Districts Mardan and Swabi in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Ordinary people -- including daily wage earners, school teachers, the youth, lawyers, local councilors, and activists -- greeted them with open arms. They made their homes and their hujras (part of house reserved for guests) available to the shelterless displaced. Others were accommodated in public schools after the provincial government announced early summer vacation. Despite daunting numbers that continued to arrive at their doorsteps and mohallahs (neighbourhood), the local hosts acted with exceptional benevolence. Their unconditional generosity helped off-set the disappointingly under-prepared government arrangements to receive and shelter the displaced. |
| The displaced found themselves in simply wretched conditions. Their needs were basic and immediate. Women, children, the elderly and the sick were suffering the most.
Their plight moved many into action. Following closely behind the lead taken by local hosts, were philanthropists, international and local NGOs, social workers, and politicians.
People from different walks of life and different areas, from bloggers to villagers came forward with support recognizing a need to play their part. Amongst them was the Omar Asghar
Khan Development Foundation. |
| The Foundation drew on its experience of providing relief following the 2005 earthquake to support the displaced families. In the short span of a little over two months (12 May-
31 July 2009), the Foundation extended humanitarian assistance to more than 30,000 displaced persons from over 120 union councils of Malakand and areas included in FATA, sheltered in 26 union councils of Mardan and 5 in Swabi. |
| Assistance included (a) food and essentials including detergents and personal hygiene kits; (b) non-food items including cooking utensils and floor mats, (c) clean and chilled drinking water; (d) makeshift kitchens; (e) toilets; (f) garbage disposal; (g) healthcare including medical facilities
and psycho social support including games, art events and playgrounds. |
| This was mainly made possible through the generous support of local philanthropists. Individual and corporate contributions were received from across Pakistan and also from abroad. The unconditional generosity reaffirmed hope in the human spirit moved to support those that are less fortunate and in distress. |
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