Pakistan
Hostilities between insurgents and government forces in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) have led to the displacement of nearly 150,000 people. These internally displaced persons are now living in camps or with host families; any significant increase in the number of displaced persons could lead to a further deterioration of current conditions. Throughout 2009, most of the internally displaced persons will continue to need humanitarian assistance, especially shelter, food, water and sanitation and the delivery of basic social services including health and education.
Pakistan’s geography also makes it highly susceptible to natural disasters, including seasonal monsoon floods and earthquakes. Although the country has developed a fairly sound capacity to respond to natural disasters, support from the humanitarian community remains crucial. In 2009, OCHA will conduct regular contingency planning exercises and improve its lines of communication with the National Disaster Management Agency at federal and provincial levels. OCHA will consolidate contingency plans and improve partnerships between the humanitarian community and the Government in the areas of disaster risk reduction and preparedness.
As with so many other countries, Pakistan was hard hit by 2008’s soaring increases in food and oil prices. Inflationary pressures have left 5.2 million households food insecure and in need of a strengthened safety net. In support of the recently-formed Task Force on Food, OCHA will increase its efforts to address the needs of those who are food insecure by focusing particularly on rural areas and families distressed by natural disasters and hostilities.
In 2009, OCHA will reinforce its current presence in Pakistan to support the increased need for humanitarian coordination amongst the humanitarian community and augment its support to the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and the Humanitarian Country Team. OCHA will provide additional technical expertise on humanitarian issues and ensure the appropriate collection and dissemination of information.
In 2008, OCHA established a presence in Peshawar to facilitate relief coordination and to support the HC. In 2009, OCHA will strengthen this presence with additional staff in order to increase outreach to affected populations in NWFP and FATA. OCHA will strengthen its engagement in advocating for humanitarian space, protection of civilians and respect of humanitarian principles.
OCHA will also manage an Emergency Response Fund (ERF) for quick and flexible response to emerging humanitarian needs.
Key Objectives, Outputs and Indicators
