CARE International, together with local partners, has distributed relief items to 500 families© CARE

By M. Ashfaq Yusufzai

Mardan, May 17. Today, CARE International Pakistan started its distribution of relief items for displaced persons in Mardan. I was able to observe it and could listen to the speech of Ayub Khan, Mayor of the Union Council Bazaar, who held an official ceremony on the occasion. The mayor, also called ‘Nazim’ in the traditional language, is the coordinator of cities, towns and union councils in Pakistan. Nazim Ayub Khan appreciated the effort of CARE International Pakistan and thanked for the assistance to the internally displaced persons. He said: “Since April 28, when migration from adjacent Buner district started due to military action, it is the first time that an organisation has distributed relief goods in a formal way.”

Amidst all the sad news about fights and displacement I could detect a spark of hope. Ayub Khan mentioned that there are 18,973 registered persons from Buner district, who are being supported by the local people. Even though people here are poor too, they try their best to help their landsmen and share the little they have. However, after this short uplifting comment, I heard the sad news again: the government has not shown any assistance so far. “The attitude of the district as well as provincial and federal governments towards this humanitarian crisis is lamentable. People sleep under shadows of trees, but no help has arrived”, Ayub Khan said. I can see it with my own eyes, people here are in desperate need of medicines, foodstuff and other essential items of daily use.

Today, relief goods worth of 400,000 US dollars were distributed among the displaced. About 500 families, approximately 3,500 people, were given 1,000 plastic floor mats, 1,000 mosquito nets, 1,500 female and 1,500 male shawl, 500 hygiene kits and 500 kitchen sets. Khan applauded the spirit with which CARE International had helped the people. In his opinion, the local people had made history by helping the people from the neighbouring Buner district. And I certainly agree with him on this.

During the distribution, I talked to many refugees. I wanted to listen to their voices, I was eager to hear their opinions. I spoke with Lal Babi, for example, who is from Pacha Killey Buner and lives in Bazaar village now. He said that life was good there before the Taliban’s foray and the subsequent military operation. “We still fear going back due to the fighting of the Taliban and the military”, he said. Abdul Karim of Pir Baba Buner was of the view that begging for help was against Pashtun tradition and the religion of Islam. But he cannot survive otherwise. People here are undergoing an awful time. Nauroz Shah of the same locality, asked Nazim Khan to bring in more assistance to help the people and earn the blessings of God and people’s prayers.

After the distribution I remember Nazim Ayub Khan’s words. He assured the people of his utmost help and said that the government should not forget the refugees who live with host families. He cited official figures, which state that only 13 per cent of the internally displaced persons live in camps. The majority, 87 per cent are staying with local communities. The coping mechanisms of these families are stretched; they lack all essential things to survive. They were poor before, now they have more mouths to feed. I can only hope, that more relief arrives soon and that the people, who have suffered so much will finally see hope again.