Displaced in Pakistan now number in the millions as Pakistani forces battle the taliban.

More than 1.5 million people have been displaced in Pakistan’s north-west region since the beginning of May and the numbers continue to grow. Many of their homes, schools and livelihoods have been destroyed in violent clashes between Pakistani forces and the Taliban militants who have been occupying the Swat Valley, trying to extend their control over more of Pakistan

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, has called for more international support for what he calls “a huge and rapidly unfolding emergency, a critical challenge for the humanitarian community”.

Another half a million people had already been displaced before the recent crisis. Resources are stretched to the limit. Doctors working with the displaced report people are traumatized, and often separated from their families.

Mr. Guterres reminds world leaders that these people, living on the frontier with Afghanistan, have for decades given a generous welcome to millions of Afghan refugees. Now that they are the ones uprooted by violence, they deserve our protection.

UNHCR is now working with the government and Pakistani aid organizations to set up new camps and open new registration centres as well as “humanitarian hubs” for people who had to find shelter outside the camps. Airlifts are bringing in tons of additional supplies, and the UN Refugee Agency has opened its stockpiles in Pakistan to provide thousands of locally produced items such as tents, jerry cans, sleeping mats and blankets.

UNHCR is providing essential shelter for displaced families but the scale and severity of the crisis is growing. The people of Pakistan need your support. Please make a donation.

Life in a camp in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan: Newly arrived children wait with their families and line up for water. Displaced women wait to register so their needs can be assessed and families reunited.