(NSI News Source Info) YAR HUSSAIN CAMP/PESHAWAR - May 14, 2009: More than 834,000 civilians have fled recent fighting between security forces and the Taliban in the northwest of the country, the UN refugee chief said on Thursday. 
Pakistani Frontier constables stop vehicles entering Buner in Swat district, where troops launched an offensive against militants, May 13, 2009. Pakistan's army chief ordered his men on Wednesday to ensure civilian casualties are kept to a minimum, even if that meant danger for them, in an offensive against Taliban militants in the Swat valley. A senior military official overseeing help for the internally displaced people (IDPs) said on Tuesday an estimated 800,000 civilians had fled from the latest fighting.*
The figure was a leap of more than 163,000 people registered since Wednesday, as desperate families piled onto trucks and tractors, or stream on foot out of the three worst-affected districts to hastily set up camps.
‘Some 834,000 IDPs (internally displaced people) have been registered so far. This is a massive, massive displacement in the world today,’ said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres.
‘Pakistan is passing through a difficult period. The international community should come forward and help Pakistan. I cannot give a figure but they need a lot of help,’ he added as he toured the Yar Hussain camp in Swabi district.
Ariane Rummery, spokeswoman for the UN refugee agency, said that 835,226 people had now registered since May 2.
They join another 500,000 people who fled bouts of fighting in the northwest last year, where extremist Taliban militants have been fighting to gain control and impose their brand of Islamic law.
With more than 1.3 million people displaced, Human Rights Watch has warned that Pakistan is facing its biggest movement of people since the partition of India in 1947, which led to the migration of millions.
Security forces have launched a fresh offensive in Swat, Lower Dir and Buner districts after the insurgents advanced to within 100km of Islamabad.
Pakistani Frontier constables stop vehicles entering Buner in Swat district, where troops launched an offensive against militants, May 13, 2009. Pakistan's army chief ordered his men on Wednesday to ensure civilian casualties are kept to a minimum, even if that meant danger for them, in an offensive against Taliban militants in the Swat valley. A senior military official overseeing help for the internally displaced people (IDPs) said on Tuesday an estimated 800,000 civilians had fled from the latest fighting.*
The figure was a leap of more than 163,000 people registered since Wednesday, as desperate families piled onto trucks and tractors, or stream on foot out of the three worst-affected districts to hastily set up camps.
‘Some 834,000 IDPs (internally displaced people) have been registered so far. This is a massive, massive displacement in the world today,’ said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres.
‘Pakistan is passing through a difficult period. The international community should come forward and help Pakistan. I cannot give a figure but they need a lot of help,’ he added as he toured the Yar Hussain camp in Swabi district.
Ariane Rummery, spokeswoman for the UN refugee agency, said that 835,226 people had now registered since May 2.
They join another 500,000 people who fled bouts of fighting in the northwest last year, where extremist Taliban militants have been fighting to gain control and impose their brand of Islamic law.
With more than 1.3 million people displaced, Human Rights Watch has warned that Pakistan is facing its biggest movement of people since the partition of India in 1947, which led to the migration of millions.
Security forces have launched a fresh offensive in Swat, Lower Dir and Buner districts after the insurgents advanced to within 100km of Islamabad.
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