Pakistan's internal conflict is leading to thousands of people being forced from their homes on a daily basis. As families flee from South Waziristan to
neighbouring Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan) and Tank Provinces, a severe humanitarian situation is emerging.
Almost one in seven displaced people are suffering
from global acute malnutrition, according to a recent UN survey.
The first international NGO granted access to the area, Merlin is already on the ground with
three mobile nutrition teams who are providing vital emergency health care and distributing nutritional supplements to these vulnerable communities in DI Khan.
The latest report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs highlights support for food and health facilities as the most urgent needs for South
Waziristan's displaced.
The next phase of our response
Alongside two local partner
organisations, in the next week our work will include widely distributing nutritional and therapeutic supplements to treat those most affected by malnutrition. The worst cases of malnutrition with
medical complications will be referred to health facilities for further treatment. We will also support up to 26 of these health facilities to provide essential services, including general
consultations and mother and child health care.
Patrick Parsons, Merlin's Country Director in Pakistan, said:
"With such a colossal influx of people to DI Khan we are very concerned about malnutrition as well as the other health risks that come from travelling so far and
living in such close quarters, such as respiratory infections and diarrhoea.
Merlin's Pakistan team is working around the clock to
assist displaced communities here at this time of great need.
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Find out more about our work in
Pakistan
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
