Conflict in has forced over two million people to flee their homes.

Refugee camps are becoming increasingly overcrowded and there are shortages of tents, as well as food, water and healthcare facilities. Health and hygiene conditions in the camps are poor and diseases such as diarrhoea, malaria and scabies are on the rise. This situation is likely to deteriorate further as more people arrive in the camps and as the monsoon season approaches.

Some of the major problems faced are:

1) Traumatised Children

Around 80 per cent of those living in the camps are children. Some are on their own after being separated from their families as people fled the fighting

According to government statistics around 70 per cent of children are showing signs of trauma brought on as a result of the conflict. They require urgent psychosocial support and counseling.

2) Health and sanitation

Waterborne diseases and skin conditions are spreading fast amongst the displaced population and local communities due to unsanitary living conditions. At one school in Khairabad where more than 450 displaced people are staying, Islamic Relief engineers found that there was no working latrine. In another school in Gul Bahar, displaced families had no source of water.

3) Pregnant women

Pregnant women and new mothers displaced by fighting in are facing a potential health crisis. There are 69,000 pregnant women in need of healthcare. A lack of appropriate healthcare, poor diet and the stress of the conflict and displacement are putting the lives of pregnant women and their babies at risk. Many of the pregnant women here are anaemic and malnourished and this is very dangerous.

Please spare a few minutes and read the stories of the refugees to fully understand the magnitude of the crisis.

Guloon’s missing children

Usman’s lost laughter 

Too late to save a baby  

Read more stories here...

 

 

Target amount and charity

I am raising money for Islamic Relief , a registered charity. There is no limit to the amount raised due to the magnitude of the crisis, but I am aiming to raise £200 with the support of friends and colleagues.

Islamic Relief is working on the ground in Mardan where around one million displaced people have been registered. They are working to provide displaced people and the community hosting them with essential items and services including clean water, food, healthcare, hygiene kits, kitchens sets and psychosocial support.

www.islamicrelief.org