During the continual onslaught against the Taliban in northwestern Pakistan, hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis have suffered through displacement and hardship. Since the army commenced the attacks in August 2008, over a million people have been reported homeless.
The country has called out for international aid, and it has not been met with deaf ears. The United Nations sent in 120 tons of supplies on Wednesday, including emergency shelters, portable warehouses and much-needed mosquito nets.
Aside from the supplies, individual countries are answering the call with monetary help.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has pledged 12 million euros to help these refugees in talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in Paris.
Sarkozy was firm in his beliefs that Pakistan should continue its efforts to combat the Taliban’s insurgency, a belief that Zardari surely shares.
“It is not a short term affair, it is a long term affair. It is challenging our way of life, they are trying to create a new world order,” he recently said at a press conference. He also maintains that the battle will continue for as long as it takes.
The Europen Union is also stepping in with 5.5 million euros.
“Pakistan is facing not only a security threat but also a humanitarian threat,” says European Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, Louis Michel.
Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, is echoing Zardari’s call for help, asking that nations over the world contribute as much as they can to aid the people trapped within this crisis.
To help with the humanitarian efforts in Pakistan, you can contact your representative and ask for help, donate, or organize a community effort to raise funds or needed supplies. To donate or send supplies, click here for a list of organizations that are helping with the aid efforts.