German government has increased its emergency assistance to Pakistan to a total of euro 22.6 million (Rs 2.4 billion) for the help of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) due to military action in Swat and Malakand. According to German embassy, the assistance has been increased following the heavy inflow of civilian population from these areas.
German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier stressing his solidarity with the Pakistani people said, 'I am greatly concerned about the situation in North West Pakistan and the fate of the over 1 million IDPs there.'
He said, while the fight against religious fanatics is necessary, it should not take place at the expense of innocent civilians. 'We must therefore do all we can, together with Pakistan, to help the civilian population, which is suffering, he added. During her visit to Pakistan in April 2009, German Minister for Economic Co-operation and Development, Heidemarie Wiezcorek-Zeul met with IDPs on the outskirts of Islamabad to obtain a personal impression of their situation and to underline Germany's commitment to support them.
German emergency assistance will be used to support securing the immediate humanitarian needs of displaced people inside and outside of camps in NWFP, including food, shelter, protection and medical care through the United Nations World Food Programme, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, International Committee of the Red Cross and Pakistani partners of German non-governmental organisations.
Out of this assistance, an amount would be provided to support the United Nations Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) Programme. Under this programme, UN agencies and Pakistan will co-operate to restore and improve social services and local infrastructure in communities hosting refugees and IDPs.
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