A group of nine international aid groups helping people uprooted by fighting in Pakistan's north-western region Today warned of a massive funding crisis, according to dpa. The group that includes charity organizations like Action Aid, Islamic Relief, Merlin and Oxfam said in a statement that their aid efforts were "under threat" due to a shortfall of 42 million dollars. Some 2.5 million people have fled their homes in Swat and three neighbouring districts of North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) since late April when the government forces launched a major offensive against Taliban. Most of these displaced people are staying with relatives, with only 10 to 15 per cent living in the refugee camps in NWFP and other areas of the country. Oxfam said it will have to close its projects for the 360,000 people it had planned to assist if money does not arrive by July. "This is the worst funding crisis we've faced in over a decade for a major humanitarian emergency," said Jane Cocking, Oxfam's humanitarian director. "One month into this emergency, Oxfam is four million pounds short and will have to turn our backs on some of the world's most vulnerable people," she warned. The lack of funding will increase health risks for the refugees by July when the monsoon rains contaminate water sources and situation worsens. "At a time when the risks of malaria, respiratory infection and diarrhoea start to escalate, agencies will be forced to close down our programmes," said the charity group Marlin. According to the aid groups the funding crisis was not only affecting the agencies alone, but that the United Nations had also s far received only 25 per cent of its 543 million-dollar appeal. A vast public support exists in Pakistan for the Swat operation but the analysts have warned it could vanish if the internally displaced people are not taken care of. The charity groups criticized the rich Western countries which have cheered the military assault but had shown little generosity. "The only reason we haven't faced a massive humanitarian meltdown is the generosity of families and communities of modest means who've looked after the vast majority of those who've fled the fighting," said Carolyn Miller, Chief Executive of Merlin. "With so many mouths to feed, these communities will soon be running on empty. The world's richest nations need to dig much deeper into their pockets to help."
