ISLAMABAD, Oct 18: The government has told the agencies to ensure smooth supply of relief goods to the Afghans refugees entering Pakistan, in the wake of the US attacks on Afghanistan, officials told Dawn on Tuesday.

A meeting of the monitoring committee for assistance to the Afghan refugees was held in the economic affairs division to review supply position of relief goods for the refugees.

The meeting was attended among others by secretary ministry of food and agriculture, secretary interior division, one representative each from Central Board of Revenue (CBR) and United Nations Development Project(UNDP).

Meeting decided to ensure unhindered supply of goods to the refugees, lodged in the newly erected camps.

The meeting was informed that aiding the new arrivals was difficult, since most stayed hidden for fear of being deported back to Pakistan.

They stressed the need to re-prioritize food items and immediate supply in the refugee camps, so that women and children are saved from facing food shortages.

Some individuals and charitable groups in Quetta have been donoting food, clothing and other items to the families. According to UNHCR officials, 1 million refugees are expected to cross over into Pakistan.

The UN, in view of the post September 11 situation in the region, revised its Consolidated Appeal process 2001 and issued a new donor alert amounting to US$584 million for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. Donor countries have pledged US$700 million in aid, many UN agencies fear that it would be too late before the funds start to flow.

Sources in the Economic Affairs Division fear that Pakistan’s economy is likely to suffer seriously due to the influx of refugees, unless international donor community rushed assistance soon.