The Mercy Corps Blog

Blog Post Posted June 19, 2009, 10:45 am by Dan Sadowsky

Displacement figure tops 3.5 million

From the latest situation report submitted by our emergency-response team in Pakistan:

Government of Pakistan figures show the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has risen to an estimated 3.584 million.

The situation still remains unpredictable. Many civilians are trapped in the conflict zone and unable to move, and on the other hand, small numbers of IDPs have left camps and returned to villages.

75-80% of the IDPs remain out of camp. The absorptive capacity of host communities is severely strained. To date, most IDPs living outside of camps have received little or no assistance.

Reports are that temperatures in tents for IDPs in camps are unbearable. However, Monsoon rains are not far away — predicted late June, early July. This will add a new set of challenges, mostly to camps, but also to other IDP communities.

We've distributed cash vouchers to more than 18,000 registered IDP families. With our disbursement systems strongly in place, we plan to achieve the goal of 20,000 families by Tuesday.

We've identified 20 locations and on-site child monitors for our youth psychosocial program. Staff have been hired. Procurement of tents, floor mats, art, sports equipment and games should be completed by Saturday. Nutrition training for trainers to begin Monday and will be conducted by our Islamabad-based health team.

A workplan for improving water access and santitation at schools overcrowded with IDPs has been finalized; work begins next week.