Pakistan
Recent Conflict
Due to the conflict with the Taliban, Pakistan has recently experienced the greatest number of internally displaced persons in its history. Close to half of the citizens in the regions of violence have been forced to flee the area with almost no provisions. Where possible friends and relatives have taken them in, but others they live in government camps. The resource and housing needs of these people are immense.
An impossible choice: Nazia's story
One of these families is headed by Nazia Bibi, a Pakistani woman who has lived her entire life in the Swat Valley. Due to the recent fighting in the region, her husband was killed in front of her eyes by shelling, and she was forced to make a difficult decision. Leaving behind her husband’s body and her two elder sons, who were out of the home, Nazia fled, thinking only of the lives of her two younger children. Although injured during her escape, she continued to run in order to protect her children and get them to safety. It took her four days to reach the refugee camp where she is now living.
Nazia had to leave so quickly that she was unable to gather supplies, and it was not until she reached the camp, and was aided by Act for Peace’s partners, that she and her children received food. Now, she feels more secure, because she can finally stop worrying about finding food for her children, but she is worried for the fate of her other children who remained behind.
When asked about the conflict in the country, Nazia said, “All we (the people of Swat) want is peace, restoration of stability in our land, and all the terrorists especially the Taliban to be removed so once more we can lead our lives with dignity in our own homeland.”
