By NNN-APP,
United Nations : The United Nations is shifting focus of its humanitarian services in northwest Pakistan from hosting communities to areas of return so needs of returning displaced persons can be better met, a UN spokesperson said Friday.
Of over two million people who fled the Swat region in the wake of anti-Taliban military operations, 1.64 million returned to their homes as of Sept. 1.
Spokesperson Marie Okabe said the rate of displaced persons’ return to their homes from camps and host communities slowed significantly in the past few weeks, however.
UN’s World Food Programme and humanitarian agencies dealing with food were requested to cover food needs of over 56,000 families or about 392,000 individuals in Swat district.
The aid community has 14 humanitarian hubs in Swat, Buner and Bajaur and this will be increased, the agency said.