Islamabad, February 14, 2009: The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms Sherry Rehman has said that the government's response to the issue of the internally displaced persons incorporates efforts for immediate relief as well as long term social and security assistance for the refugee population.

"The Government is committed to delivering on its responsibility of the safety, security and the well being of the internally displaced population from Swat, Bajaur and Mohmmand Agencies," said Ms Sherry Rehman in Islamabad today.

Giving out the details of the IDPs, Ms Rehman said that 11,013 families from Bajaur, Mohmand agencies and Swat are settled in 12 camps spread across the NWFP. “The two Kachagari camps, and the Jalozai Camp accommodates the largest number of refugees with 14,227 individuals and 24,646 individuals.” Ms Rehman informed the media that the total number of individuals based in the IDPs stand at 67,756. “However, there is constant inflow of IDPs and these figures are revised regularly. The actual number of displaced persons is certainly higher as many families have opted to stay outside the camps with their relatives or friends.”

The Federal Information Minister also briefed the media on the status of the refugee settlements in Swat. “Over 3,000 individuals have moved into the 11 camps set up in Mingora, Kanju and Dir Bari Kot in Swat. The District Coordinating Officer is managing the relief efforts while Mohallah Committees have been set up to facilitate the relief activities and settlement of the IDPs.”

Last week, the Federal Information Minister, visited the Kachagarhi Camp in the NWFP, set up for the IDPs of the Mohmand and Bajaur Agencies. Ms Rehman said that the visit gave her the opportunity to get a first hand account of the ground situation and interact with the displaced persons to understand their issues. "It was encouraging to see that the IDPs, despite difficulties, backed the government’s efforts for countering terrorist forces in the FATA and Swat regions. Their commitment is a huge boost for the government that is determined to flush out non state actors from the region."

Ms Sherry Rehman said that the IDPs of the Bajaur, Mohammand and Swat regions are being provided all assistance by the government as well as by the donor agencies. "Apart from health and other basic services, the government is working with non-governmental sector to provide education facilities at the camps. Majority of the camps already have primary and secondary level schools for children of the refugee population. The Government is aware of the need for a comprehensive response to the issue of their displacement. Given the fact that we are in a long haul battle to root out militancy, the government is working on a comprehensive package for the refugee population that focuses on creating structures to facilitate their access to education and employment opportunities."

The Federal Information Minister said that President Zardari's visit to the NWFP last week, and her own visit to the refugee camps, despite security concerns, reflects government's commitment to address all aspects related to the nation's battle against terrorism. "The government's counter terrorism efforts not only involve fighting militancy, we are equally concerned about the rehabilitation and settlement of those who are directly bearing the brunt of the militants' onslaught against our people. Our visit to the NWFP was aimed at pledging our support for our sisters and brothers who have paid a high price for the illegal actions of the militants on Pakistan's territory. We would continue to work at all levels to ensure that the displaced population live comfortably while the government fights terrorism in the region."

Ms Sherry Rehman stressed the need for Pakistan's allies and the international agencies to extend support to the displaced population. "This is a part of the responsibilities that come with our efforts to combat terrorism, and there is a key need for joint and comprehensive response to the issue by all forces that are committed to fight terrorism. Apart from immediate relief, the international agencies must work with the government of Pakistan to create opportunities for extending social services such as health, education and employment for the displaced population. This would not only enable the IDPs to make a positive contribution to the development of their own community, it would also help in ensuring that the militants do not exploit the vulnerability of the displaced population."