Vigil of Hope for Displaced Pakistanis June 6, 2009

EVENT INFORMATION:

Islamic Relief Canada, the Care Factor and the University of Toronto - Mississauga Students' Union will be holding a peace vigil in Mississauga at the SE corner Hurontario St. & Dundas St. W for the 2.7 million Pakistanis displaced to date because of the recent conflict in Northern Pakistan
http://islamicreliefcanada.org/

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The conflict between the military and the militants in Swat, Buner and lower Dir has intensified and going on for the last few weeks, as a result about 100,000 people get displaced every day. Because of their tradition and culture a vast majority of them (83% as per UNHCR) are staying with host families and not in the camps. A total number has reached to about 3million so far as per provincial government sources. The IDP’s have come from Swat, Buner and lower Dir of the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan.

Humanitarian Situation:

· Current figure of the IDPs outside the camps are 2,751,162 whereas at the camps a total of 118,643 IDPs have been reported by the ERU – Government of NWFP.

· The provincial government has decided to put in place a recovery plan before the IDPs going back to their homes in Malakand division. According to an Emergency Response Unit (ERU) handout issued on Sunday, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, to discuss the “Early Recovery Plan of IDPs” in Malakand Division.

Official Website: http://islamicreliefcanada.org