Food aid relieves burden in Pakistan’s conflict-torn northwest (21/7/2009)

Rights of the displaced key concern as return gains momentum (20/7/2009)

World Refugee Day: Saturday June 20 - New Zealander Responds To Humanitarian Crisis In Pakistan (19/6/2009)

Blog: Hospitality that hurts (19/6/2009)

Hosts of Pakistan’s fleeing masses on brink of their own displacement, World Vision warns” (29/5/2009)

World Vision New Zealand Contributes NZ$325,000 To Help Those Caught In Conflict In Pakistan (29/5/2009)

Inside Pakistan’s Conflict Zone, World Vision Provides “Aid With Dignity” (26/5/2009)

Displaced Pakistanis hit twice: fear grows, funding staggers (18/5/2009)

As Pakistanis Continue To Flee The Violence, Government And Aid Agencies Respond (11/5/2009)

On 6 May 2009, the ongoing low-level conflict between the Pakistani Military and the Taliban in and around the Swat valley expanded into open war, causing hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee. It is estimated that more than 2 million people have been internally displaced, including the almost 600,000 registered displaced persons who have fled the area in recent years, most of whom are women and children.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) announced formally its withdrawal from the controversial Swat Valley peace deal, in response to ongoing military offensives in and around the valley. The following day the TTP reportedly gained control over the Swat Valley’s largest town Mingora.

United Nations Refugee agency, UNHCR has estimated that of the newly registered displaced persons, more than two-thirds are in host communities (friends, relatives, and other government shelters set up in the communities to help absorb the influx of new internally displaced people), while the remainder have sought shelter in IDP camps.

The sheer number of displaced persons, difficult terrain and rising temperatures are creating substantial challenges to the Pakistani government. The government has established five main camps and with the UN and aid agencies is striving to meet the basic needs of families.

Curfews have been periodically lifted to allow civilians to flee, however, this is becoming more difficult as the fighting escalates. It is expected that the crisis will grow with continued fighting.

As homes continue to open to hundreds of thousands of Pakistan’s Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), World Vision is focusing its relief efforts in host communities through small-scale distributions and home-delivery of goods. How would you cope if 30 people arrived at your door to stay? Here, space and resources are scarce, but these photos show how life around the warzone goes on...