Thousands of people are living in camps after fleeing from fighting between the Pakistani army and Taliban insurgents

May 27, 2009

As the Pakistan army cracks down on Taliban extremists in the Swat Valley near Afghanistan, over 2.3 million people who were caught in the crossfire have fled for their lives.

The United Nations says this is the fastest displacement of humanity since the Rwanda genocide in 1994.

Samaritan’s Purse has a team in Pakistan that is working in partnership with Pakistani Christians to provide food, shelter, blankets, and other assistance to thousands of desperate families.

Tens of thousands are living in tent cities. Many others are crowding into small homes with relatives or host families. Most of the refugees are women and children, as many of the men have remained behind to join the fighting or protect their farms and businesses. Some of the families said they had only 20 minutes warning to flee, and had to leave everything behind.

Among the most vulnerable are the small minority of Christians who lived in the affected province. With religious tensions running high and relief supplies spread thin, they are counting on other Christians for prayer and assistance. Only about 2 percent of Pakistanis are Christians, and 96 percent are Muslims.

Pakistan’s remote mountains have been a hideout for the Taliban since U.S.-led forces drove the Taliban from power in Afghanistan in 2001. On May 8, Pakistan’s prime minister ordered the army to “eliminate the militants and the terrorists,” saying that peaceful negotiations with the Taliban had failed.

Ways You Can Help

PRAY:

• For the multitudes who have fled their homes, especially for those who have been widowed, orphaned, or separated.

• For God to provide the resources, access, and safety for Samaritan’s Purse and our Christian partners to meet the needs of displaced families.

• For Pakistanis who have never heard the Gospel to witness the compassion of Jesus Christ through Christian relief efforts.

GIVE:

To support our relief work in Pakistan, please visit our Donation page.

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