U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
Note: The last fact sheet was dated February 4, 2010.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
- On February 9, the U.N. formally launched the 2010 Pakistan Humanitarian Response Plan. Developed in close coordination with international humanitarian partners and the Government of Pakistan (GoP), the plan appeals for approximately $537 million for a period of six months to help meet emergency needs among conflict- and natural disaster-affected populations.
- Areas in Kohistan District, North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), remain inaccessible by road and approximately 2,000 people require humanitarian assistance due to the February 16 avalanche, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The avalanche also resulted in the deaths of at least 50 people. Relying on helicopters provided by district authorities, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) continue to provide relief to the affected population.
- On March 5, the GoP announced a decision to close four displaced person camps in Lower Dir District, NWFP, by March 15 in order to facilitate returns and resettlement. The camps currently host more than 1,800 families, or approximately 11,000 individuals, from Bajaur Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). USAID/OFDA staff based in Pakistan report that the GoP Special Support Group (SSG) is coordinating the deployment of a U.N. assessment mission to Bajaur Agency to initiate preparations for returns.