United Nations Radio

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has begun to distribute supplementary relief supplies to internally displaced people living in camps in north-west Pakistan.

Pakistani boy collects winter supplies at Jalozai camp

The people fled their homes as government forces continued to battle Taliban militants in the area.

UNHCR says that this aid will help the internally displaced cope with the hardship of winter, as temperatures begin to drop in the area.

The first phase of the winterization drive began on Monday, in Jalozai camp near Peshawar in the North West Frontier Province.

UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic says the operation will continue in eight camps in the lead up to the Muslim holiday of Eid on 28 November, with approximately 85,000 people benefiting from it.

"Each family will receive six blankets, four sleeping mats, and two plastic sheeting for warmth and insulation in addition to other relief supplies received, when they initially registered in the camps. More than 82,000 blankets, 37,000 plastic sheets, and some 55,000 sleeping mats will be distributed this week in several camps including Jalozai, Jalala, Benazir complex, Wali Kandow, and Palosa in North West Frontier Province."

UNHCR says up to 900,000 people from the northern areas of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and North-West Frontier Province could still be displaced and are staying with host families.

Diane Bailey, United Nations Radio
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