Pakistan Humanitarian Forum urges Comprehensive and Effective Aid for “Desperate” Situation among the Displaced, as UN and humanitarian community launches Flash Appeal

A consortium of 29 of the largest International NGOs in Pakistan is publicly appealing to the international community to immediately fund the United Nations Flash Appeal, for the nearly 2 million people displaced by conflict in northwest Pakistan. The Appeal will be formally launched on May 22.

“The situation for displaced families is desperate,” said Neva Khan, Chairwoman of the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum. “These families are depending upon the donor community to respond quickly and comprehensively to this call for assistance.”

In its statement, the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF) also urged all actors to ensure that aid to displaced people is provided in a sufficient, timely, appropriate, adequately resourced, dignified, and well coordinated manner.

“In order to be effective, donors should take advantage of the pivotal role that NGOs play during such a crisis. Too often, the Flash Appeal is under funded, NGOs are largely excluded from decision making, and funds reach NGOs too slowly or not all. As a result, the relief effort fails to benefit from the specialisation, agility, and efficiency of the NGO community,” said Khan, “Ultimately, it is those affected by the crisis who suffer.”

According to PHF, aid effectiveness also hinges upon the proper coordination of all those involved in the relief effort. The Pakistan Humanitarian Forum affirms the UN Cluster System as the primary mechanism supporting the Pakistani authorities in coordinating the relief effort.

“But coordination must be strengthened at all levels. The UN, donors and Pakistani authorities must ensure that national, provincial and especially district level coordination is strengthened and properly resourced,” added Khan.

PHF also encouraged the UN Cluster System to ensure ample participation by NGOs in the coordination and distribution of aid. ”The Cluster System should always provide the opportunity for NGOs to participate in the prioritization of projects and the coordination of activities,” said Khan.

PHF members have a long history of working in Pakistan, and offer a broad variety of services to the displaced. The organization emphasised that it cannot provide these services if proper funding is not available. “It is time for the international community to demonstrate its solidarity with the vulnerable Pakistanis, especially women and children, displaced by the current conflict,” said Khan.

For a full copy of the statement released by the agencies, see http://pakhumanitarianforum.com.pk/

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For more information, please contact:
Neva Khan, Chairwoman and Spokesperson
Pakistan Humanitarian Forum
Email: nhkhan@oxfam.org.uk
Phone: + 92 (0) 3018569526

Or

Shaheen Chughtai
Humanitarian Policy Advisor , South Asia
Email: schughtai@oxfam.org.uk
Phone: + 92 (0) 3008569526