PRCS starts distribution of relief items to IDPs

Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in collaboration with partners has started distribution of relief items to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living with host families. The PRCS in collaboration with International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and IFRC has set the target to provide relief to 350,000 IDPs living with host families besides 50,000 in the tented villages.
This was stated by the PRCS NWFP Branch Chairman Dr Sher Muhammad who visited to the Rangmala tentage village set up by the Red Crescent. He said that the Pakistan Red Crescent Society is the only organisation that is running two tentage villages in Malakand division and in these camps the people are being provided all kind of facilities included food, blankets, hygiene kits, one jerry cane, stoves and mosquito nets.
He said the PRCS with the support of ICRC is the first organisation that is carrying out relief operation in Malakand and Dir and to assist those trapped in the region's conflict areas as well as internally displaced persons. The Society has also set up medical camps and psychosocial camps at these tentage villages in order to provide best available treatment to the ordinary and trauma patients on daily basis.
The PRCS and ICRC engineers have also laid water and sanitation pipelines to provide clean drinking water to the victims at these camps and said smooth water supply is being ensured through bowzers. He said that the PRCS is also organising awareness sessions to create awareness of personal health and hygiene among the IDPs at these camps. He said that in collaboration with the provincial health department the PRCS has completed polio vaccination in these camps.
Dr Sher Muhammad said that the PRCS is also setting up schools and sport facilities in the camps besides other activities to engage people. "Our focus will be on ensuring speedy and adequate relief and medical response to the people in distress through staff, volunteers, trained doctors and paramedics," he said. He said that the Society's staff and volunteers are fully committed in providing relief and health cover to the victims.
Saima Ali, a female hygiene educator at PRCS IDPs Camp, Rangmala said "We have almost controlled a number of hygiene related diseases through joint efforts and co-operation. We are providing training to female volunteers to further educate other ladies in camps."
'The displaced female arrive in the camp with great depression and no idea of living in camp but time and our efforts together reduce their depression and help them to handle the situation, she said. Aisha Majeed, who is voluntarily working with the PRCS said, "We approached almost every female of this camp and convinced to follow the guidance regarding hygiene."