Pakistan - timeline of the humanitarian crisis

24 August 2009

Date	Event
July/August 2008 – April 2009	Heavy monsoon rains in NWFP and conflict and insecurity in FATA result in around 570,000 displaced people
September 2008	UN and humanitarian community launches the Pakistan Humanitarian Response Plan (PHRP) which appeals for $55 million
September 2008	DFID announces humanitarian funding of £2 million
November 2008	ICRC launches its Emergency Appeal for Pakistan 2009 for £13.5 million
January 2009	The UN and humanitarian community make the first revision to PHRP, the total appeal now stands at $174 million
5 March 2009	ICRC revises its Emergency Appeal to a total of £29.5 million
April 2009 – June 2009	Up to 2 million further people internally displaced people (IDPs) as fighting spreads to NWFP. Over 200,000 people take shelter in IDP camps but the vast majority are sheltering with host communities or in spontaneous settlements
April 2009	DFID announces a further £10 million of humanitarian funding
18 May 2009	UNICEF states that this is the biggest displacement in the history of Pakistan since partition
22 May 2009	The UN and humanitarian community revises its PHRP in response to rapidly increasing needs, the appeal now stands at US $543 million
22 May 2009	DFID announces a further £10 million of humanitarian funding
30-31 May 2009	Pakistani Military declares victory over the Taliban in Mingora – the main town of Swat
1 June 2009	Humanitarian agency staff enter Mingora to assess damage caused by the conflict. They describe the damage to civil infrastructure as significant
2 June 2009	The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes delivers some key messages. These highlight the scale of the crisis, vulnerability of those affected and the need for life saving intervention. He says existing services are strained, response efforts need to be scaled up and resources mobilised. Holmes warns of the vulnerability of those still exposed to fighting and also emphasises that at all times IDPs should be consulted on decisions that affect them.
3 June 2009	Humanitarian agencies working in the food sector warn of potential food supply problems approaching in July without more support from the international community.
3 June 2009	110,000 people are reportedly sheltering in 2,100 schools – these schools will have to be vacated when the school term begins in August.
4 June 2009	WHO and other health agencies warn that acute diarrhoea and malaria will be diseases of concern over the coming weeks – monitoring is ongoing.
4 June 2009	ICRC revises its Emergency Appeal. It now totals £52 million.
5 June 2009	A new Humanitarian Coordinator is appointed to oversee the relief effort in country.
5 June 2009	ICRC issues a revised appeal which now totals £54 million for its response to the IDP crisis.
8 June 2009	The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will facilitate the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to assess the risk of unexploded ordnance.
10 June 2009	UN warns that a further half million people could be displaced if the Pakistani military broadens its offensive into Waziristan in the Northwest of Pakistan.
17 June 2009	UN reports spontaneous return taking place in Bajur and Buner.
1 July 2009	The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes visits Pakistan. He says that ‘more must be done to help host families.’
6 July 2009	Joint WHO/UNICEF mission reports that more health workers, particularly female doctors are needed.
13 July 2009	Government of Pakistan starts its organised voluntary return plan for IDPs. Six phases over 19 days.
15 July 2009	Over 20,000 IDPs return to Swat and Buner as part of Government of Pakistan Return Plan.
16 July 2009	UNHCR staff member shot and killed in Kacha Garhi IDP camp outside of Peshawar.
20 July 2009	Two IDP camps, Sheikh Yasin and Sheikh Shahzad close because of vulnerability to flooding due to Monsoon.
21 July 2009	412,000 IDPs return to their home in Southern Swat, Buner and Dir District in NWFP.
23 July 2009	NWFP Department of Education sets a 15 August deadline to vacate 208,000 IDPs living in 4,040 schools.
29 July 2009	600,000 registered IDPs return to Swat and Buner district. 5 camps close. 1.5m remain displaced.
8 August 2009	Media reports that Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehud has been killed.
10 August 2009	140,000 newly displaced in Lower Dir and Buner district of NWFP as a result of military operations in Upper Dir. 3 new IDP camps established.
12 August 2009	80,000 registered displaced people from South Waziristan being hosted in DI Khan and Tank Districts. First food distribution in DI Khan.
16 August 2009	Flash floods from heavy rain fall cause 14 deaths and destroy 900 houses in Mardan and Swabi Districts of NWFP.
17 August 2009	Government figures show that 1.6 million IDPs have returned to their areas of origin so far.

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