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0.57m IDPs registered, Rs 329.5m distributed so far, Nawaz informed
*4,500 tonnes of relief goods distributed among 31,000 registered families *5,000 food packages, weighing 110 kg each, being distributed every day
ISLAMABAD: A total of 572,529 people, belonging to 44,633 families have been registered as internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the aftermath of operation Zarb-e-Azb, which started on June 15.
This was revealed in a detailed status report compiled by all coordination and implementation organisations providing relief to Waziristan IDPs, which was submitted to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday. The prime minister was told that an amount of Rs 329.568 million has been distributed among 27,664 families as financial support. 4,500 tonnes of relief goods have been distributed among 31,000 registered families by the federal government with the assistance of Pakistan Army and the World Food Programme (WFP).
About 5,000 food packages, weighing 110-kg each, are being distributed every day through 11 food distribution points among the affected people. Non-food items have also been distributed among 31,000 IDP families. As per prime minister’s directions, from July 8 each registered IDP family will get compensation through mobile SIMs under a transparent mechanism. This has been done to ensure quick relief to IDPs besides bringing more transparency in distribution of money. Beneficiaries would be allowed to collect their money from mobile franchises, retailers and banks.
The report said round-the-clock supply of electricity has been ensured in IDP camps. Temporary mosques have been built to facilitate the families living in camps and medical facilities, including doctors and medicines, especially for treatment of sunstrokes, cramps in legs and polio vaccination, have been made available for them. Steady supply of clean drinking water has also been ensured.
The Pakistan Army has also established 33 points across the country for collection of donations from the general public. The Finance Ministry has released Rs. 1.5 billion so far to provide relief to the IDPs. The Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet has recently approved 60,000 tonnes of wheat costing Rs 2.8 billion for distribution among the IDPs. Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 has provided three state-of-the-art ambulances along with necessary staff to assist displaced persons in emergencies.
Also, 15 mobile veterinary clinics have been established in Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Karak and Tank in which more than 20,000 animals belonging to the IDPs have been treated, while more than 42,000 animals have so far been vaccinated. The UAE government has released an assistance of $20.5 million for the IDPs on humanitarian grounds.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk