United Nations Radio

Nearly 190,000 people are reported to have fled fighting between Pakistani troops and Taliban fighters near the border with Afghanistan.

The UN refugee agency-UNHCR-says the number includes more than 160,000 Pakistanis now sheltering in the country's North West Frontier Province and 20,000 Pakistani and Afghans who fled into eastern Afghanistan.

UNHCR Spokesman Ron Redmond.

"The large majority of the displaced people are staying with host families on both sides of the border. UNHCR can't access most of these areas for security reasons, and we rely on government estimates."

Redmond says UNHCR is trying to improve conditions in the camps by providing urgent shelter and relief materials, as well as technical support to the government's camp managers.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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