LAHORE: Denmark has provided more financial aid worth $1.6m to the Pakistan government to assist the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of North Waziristan and Khyber Agency.

The contribution, which has a special focus on women and children, will be implemented through the UNHCR’s operations in the area.

“The situation of the IDPs is very complex as Pakistan faces serious challenges due to the frequency of conflicts and emergencies. The IDPs, mainly the women and children, are in a very serious and extremely vulnerable condition,” Ambassador of Denmark Mr Jesper Moller Sorensen said this during his visit to the Lahore Press Club on Saturday. He said almost one million women and children were without social protection.

“Our contribution serves to ensure these IDPs, especially women, children and others with special needs, have equal access to all the services offered by the government and humanitarian actors,” he said.

Mr Sorensen added that the Danish contribution would go for ensuring that the families had an adequate coverage of tents, non-food items, family kits, which included emergency shelter materials, and core relief items for protection against the cold winter. Additionally, he said, the support was also being provided in collective centres, where families were being hosted at schools, other public buildings, temporary settlements and community and religious centers.

“The UNHCR is also establishing new camps and providing technical support on camp management and coordination,” he added.

The Danish ambassador said his country had been providing humanitarian support to Pakistan since 2005 with increased support during the earthquake and floods. Between 2010 and 2013, Denmark contributed a total of US $51.5m in humanitarian aid to Pakistan. In addition, Denmark is currently implementing a US $50m development assistance programme in Pakistan (2013-2016), he added.

Published in Dawn January 11th , 2014

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