Plan International launches emergency appeal for crisis in Pakistan

The large number of children fleeing fighting in north-west Pakistan has sparked serious concerns for their welfare

Plan International has launched an emergency appeal to fund its work in the conflict-torn north-western provinces of Pakistan and is urgently seeking donations from the Australian public to ensure that vulnerable children are protected from harm.

Make a donation online to Plan's Pakistan Crisis Appeal or call 13 PLAN (13 7526).

• Up to one million people fleeing conflict in north-west Pakistan are overwhelming refugee camps

• Plan International is working to ensure that children in these camps – often the most vulnerable in emergency situations - are well fed and cared for in protected learning spaces

The large number of children fleeing fighting in north-west Pakistan has sparked serious concerns for their welfare. Plan International has just released $US 100,000 of emergency funds to help the estimated 1 million people who are trying to escape the conflict between Taleban and government forces in the North West Frontier Province, but more is urgently needed.

An unusually high number of the people who are flooding into refugee camps and towns are children - thought to be up to 70% in some areas. North West Frontier Province authorities have said there could be an additional 500,000 displaced people from the conflict areas.

Plan International says facilities in the 18 camps that have been set up in various locations in the Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Charsadda and Swabi districts cannot cope with the massive influx of people.

 “Most of these people are in a state of shock from the firing and shelling they have experienced,” said the Country Director of Plan in Pakistan Haider Waseem Yaqub.

“The community in the camp is getting further distressed mentally, emotionally and physically since there is a lack of basic necessities, especially food, medicine and electricity.

“Children are the most vulnerable as they have lots of needs. They are under great trauma and need special attention but there are no special arrangements for them. There are lots of girls and boys who now have no safe place to go.”

Plan International will establish child-safe and friendly areas in the camps where trauma counsellors can help affected children – exercises that proved successful in the Pakistan Earthquake of 2005 – along with responding to other urgent needs around nutrition and hygiene.

Plan is hoping to raise at least $40,000 in Australia to support this urgent response and ensure the safety of children in this time of crisis.

Make a donation online to Plan's Pakistan Crisis Appeal or call 13 PLAN (13 7526).

Note to editors

Ian Wishart, National Executive Director of Plan in Australia, and Dave Husy, programs director, are available for comment. Contact David Cook on 0448 816 900 or Aimee Suchard-Lowe on 0412 227 154 to arrange an interview.