World Food Programme foresees emergency situation from 2013 to 2015 as more people would be displaced if military launches operation in North Waziristan and Isaf/ Nato withdraw forces from Afghanistan. Special Advisor to WFP, Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed (retd) briefed the ambassadors of Middle Eastern countries here at Saudi Embassy on Monday.
The WFP has designed its future strategy for 2013-2015 having extensive consultations with Pak military, national and international donors, ministries, line-departments and other stakeholders. Giving briefing on WFP's outlook for 2013-2015, Nadeem anticipated that Pakistan would be in dire need of funds during 2013-2015.
He said 0.3 million people are expected to flee the North Waziristation Agency if Pakistan military launched a full-scale military operation there.
He said that situation in Khyber Agency became a nightmare for the natives who have been fleeing in fear from Tahrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups. "They have been compelled to leave Khyber Agency to save their lives and are part of those IDPs who are living in camps", Nadeem said.
He expressed apprehensions that Afghan people would cross border and migrate to Pakistan, if worse happen during the period of withdrawal of Isaf/Nato forces. They would start their withdrawal in 2013 which might result in fighting between tribal Sardars, he added.
He said a considerable number of IDPs returned to Bajaur Agency, Mohmand Agency and Orakzai Agency after life became normal there but a large number of families were moving from Khyber Agency.
He further said that there is 26 percent increase in enrolment of children in Fata where WFP launched food support programme for children. He said that there is 25 percent reduction in purchasing power of people as food inflation was going up according to government survey.
He stressed that 50 percent of population was youth and needed good nutrition as healthy body ensures healthy mind.
He appreciated government's commitment to provide 500,000 MT wheat to WFP under zero hunger programme for distribution among poor families. This ownership would help WFP to motivate international donors more successful.
Earlier, WFP representative and Country Director for Pakistan Jean Luc Siblot warned that programme might suspend some of its operations if it could not receive $62 million funds by the end of this year.
He said the number of beneficiaries of WFP reached from 99,024 in January 2012 to 154,715 in May, the same year. "We are planning to target 191,000 beneficiaries", he said.