Pakistan has been a target of terrorist activities after 9/11 and especially after the recent American invasion of Afghanistan. The after affects of these events are visible now to everyone and are more severe and painful. During the year 2008, the situation turned in such a way that Militants and terrorists occupied Northern areas in particular the Sawat Valley, as result the Government ordered military operation this year as there has left no other option. This ultimately resulted displacement of millions of people of Sawat Valley and its adjacent areas. As military operation progressed in Swat, Dir, Buner and adjacent locations, the residents of these areas migrated to safer regions like Mardan, Charsadda and Peshawar, Abbottabad, Karachi etc. These Internally Displaced People were 3 million in figures and the Sawat Crisis is being termed as the largest humanitarian and displacement crisis in recent times.

For the help of These IDPs various Organizations became active also the Federal and Provincial governments also announced their commitment to help the IDPS. For the relief of IDPS, Disaster Management Center Abbottabad in collaboration with Disaster Relief by Irish and Pakistanis Ireland (DRIP) did the following activities:

Free Medical Camps for IDPS :

Two Free Medical Camps at UM Healthcare trust Zahidabad Rustam Mardan District were successfully done by the Disaster Management Center Abbottabad. The First Free Medical Camp was held on 17th may 2009 in which the seven doctors served and the second Free Medical Camp was held on 9^th June 2009 in which five doctors were in the team . In both medical camps the teams were lead by Dr.Noaman Siddiqui. For these camps DRIP sponsored Medicines of Rs.40000/-.

Dr. Noaman checking a patient

The patients mainly included diarrheal diseases, worm infestations, insect (mainly mosquito) bites, and respiratory tract infections. Most of the adult females showed signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. There were quite a few patients with chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. There was no mechanism for shifting the patients to DHQ Hospital or Mardan Medical Complex from this remote area, for this purpose Mr. Faisal Edhi was called and he deputed immediately two Edhi Ambulances. 

Daily Meal for IDPS – LUNGAR for IDPS:

DMC in collaboration with Disaster Relief by Iresh & Pakistanis Ireland supported UM Healthcare Trust in organizing a “Langar” that is a Kitchen a facility to provide meal to the IDPs Living near the UM trust Hospital as Over 300 members of IDPs were living, members of the families living in the school near UM trust Hospital asked for proper mechanism for the meals, healthcare, water and sanitation.

children having lunch

Kitchen in Progress

The Team from Disaster Management Center Abbottabad also surveyed and found out the number of IDPs living in school as Adult males = 68, Adult Females = 54 and children = 159 in which 60 were less than 5 years. Also the survey of Sheikh Yasin camp showed that number of tents were 1467, total Population of IDPs was 12834/-and Total Number of families were 1962 & number of toilets at the camp were 114.The UM trust was funded with the amount of Rs.302000/- for ration and provision of meal to the IDPS .  

Distribution of over 700 Gharas, Lids & Katoras to IDPS:

Dr.Noaman Siddiqui distributed the Gharas-Pitchers, Lids & Katoras; the utensils for drinking water amongst the IDPS at relief camp - Zahidabad district Mardan as the weather was too hot to live without cold and hygienic drinking water.

Dr. Noaman Siddiqui Distributing Pitchers

Distribution of Ration amongst the IDPS in Abbottabad:

Disaster Management Center Abbottabad provided the IDPS of Sawat residing in Abbottabad with ration. The ration packages were distributed in a short ceremony by the Chairman DMC, prof.Dr. Abdul Aziz Awan on 1^st July 2009. 

Dr. Abdul Aziz Awan distributing ration

The ration includes in major Flour, Rice, Sugar and in general other grocery items of daily use was distributed amongst the IDPs, the ration was for nine families consisting of thirty-three members .This activity was sponsored and funded by Disaster Relief by Irish and Pakistanis Ireland. 

Contribution to Prime Minister’s Fund through Radio Pakistan’s Campaign:

DMC sponsored by Disaster Relief by Iresh & Pakistanis Ireland contributed an amount of Rs.10000/- to Prime minister’s Fund for IDPs through a campaign of Radio Pakistan Abbottabad for fundraising.

Dr. Noaman Siddiqui handing over cheque of Rs.10000/-

Summary of Expenditure – IDPS Relief Activities:  

Free Medical Camps ---------------------- Rs.50, 000/-

Ration IDPS (Abbottabad) ----------------Rs.50, 000/-

Kitchen for IDPS at UM Trust ------------Rs.302000/-

Total Amount -----------------------------Rs.402000/-