Pakistan’s Refugee Crisis

By Alishba I. Kassim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

SWAT VALLEY, Pakistan – Almost 1.5 million people have registered for international assistance, fighting began in the Swat Valley region in Pakistan about three weeks ago. The total number of displaced people stands at about 2 million with the numbers steadily rising. The UNHCR spokesperson said that “it’s been a long time since there has been a displacement this big.”

The Swat Valley in Pakistan used to be a popular tourist attraction, but recently came under the strong control of the Taliban who imposed Sharia law in the region, and began advancing towards the capital. In response the Pakistani army launched an aerial attack, and have since then moved forward with a ground offensive, targeted at driving the militants out of the region.

The fighting has caused a mass refugee exodus, and has resulted in heavy civilian casualties.

Currently 1.30 million people are living in camps, while almost 1.04 million people are still without any shelter. Although the government of Pakistan in conjunction with the UNHCR is working hard to provide relief to the displaced citizens, the numbers are constantly rising and the situation is becoming dire as observed by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres. “It’s like trying to catch something that’s moving ahead of us because the number of people on the move every day is so big and the response is never enough.”

Emergency aid and relief is being sent over to Pakistan, but more will be needed in order to sustain the fight against the Taliban. The growing needs of the displaced people are steadily increasing in a crisis many compare to the Rwandan genocide.

For more information, please see:

Guardian – Swat Valley Refugee Crisis – 19 May 2009

CBS News – Pakistan Refugee Influx – 18 May 2009

DAWN News – UNHCR Warns of Humanitarian Crisis – 16 May 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive