President Asif Ali Zardari has announced an "emergency relief package" (ERP) to support the internally displaced persons (IDPs) at different camps immediately. Under this programme 6,100 families, residing in the camps, were registered and more than Rs 10 millions has been placed at the disposal of Pakistan Post for distribution amongst the IDPs.
Besides, 6,000 families, residing off camps with host families, have also been registered for the ERP. This was intimated by the Director General of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), NWFP to the Chief Secretary in response to his letter wherein immediate support from the BISP was asked for IDPs.
It was further explained that the IDPs from Swat, Buner and other effected areas, who were already recipient of assistance under the BISPs schemes will also continue to receive the financial assistance at their new location. Such beneficiaries were asked to intimate their new addresses to the office of the BISP so that smooth and immediate provision of the prescribed assistance could be provided to them.
The IDPs, who were not covered under the schemes, will be provided relief under the emergency relief package, and the office of BISP is keeping constant liaison with the Social Welfare Department, Commissioner, Afghans Refugees, Provincial Relief Commissioner and other stakeholders to register maximum numbers of IDPs in the shortest possible times so that they could receive financial assistance at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the BISP Director General has ordered to set up temporary offices at districts of Mardan, Swabi and Charsadda so that the IDPs could be provided immediate support under this programme.
These offices in district Mardan would be at Jalala Camp, Sheikh Shehzad Town Camp, Sheikh Yasin Town Camp, District Officer, Social Welfare, union council office Rustam and Hathiyan. In district Swabi, the offices would be established at Yar Hussain Lahor, Shah Mansoor Camp and the District Office, Social Welfare, while in district Charsadda the same would be at Palosa Camp and District Office, Social Welfare Department.