Save the Children's health teams treat illnesses brought on by exposure, crowded living conditions and forced migration.

WESTPORT, Conn. (May 14, 2009) — As increasing numbers of Pakistani families flee their homes due to intense fighting in the country's North West Frontier Province, (NWFP) Save the Children is moving quickly to address the health needs of children and their families displaced by the fighting.

A young girl displaced by conflict in Pakistan's Swat Valley. Credit: REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood courtesy alertnet.org

Currently, Save the Children has two mobile health teams providing outpatient services through local health units, temporary clinics and outreach to displaced families. They have treated about 4,500 people — primarily children and women — since Monday.

"We are seeing cases of diarrheal disease, respiratory infections and other illnesses related to exposure and to very crowded living conditions," said Ned Olney, who heads Save the Children's humanitarian response efforts around the world. "In addition, our medical teams are reporting numerous fatigue and stress-related ailments, which is not surprising as families have walked 30–50 miles under great duress in search of safe haven."

Given the growing need and increasing worries that crowded conditions might spur the spread of highly infectious diseases, Save the Children is expanding the number of shifts and services its medical teams provide.

Number of Displaced People Growing Daily

With more than 200,000 people registering with the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, over the last two days, the number of recently displaced people has topped 700,000 — more than 400,000 of them children. This brings the total number of children and adults who have fled the conflict in the NWFP to well over 1 million since August, 2008.

Most have found shelter with relatives or in rental situations, straining the resources and space limitations of their impoverished host families.

Save the Children also is assisting vulnerable children and their families by providing essential hygiene and household items. The agency is focusing its efforts on separated children, women-headed households, families with children under 5, and families that include an injured or chronically ill family member. It is planning protection and education programs.

Save the Children has worked in Pakistan for more than 30 years — helping improve the lives and well-being of Afghan refugees and Pakistani children and women. The agency has a strong portfolio of health, education and emergency response programs, while continuing to address the needs of Afghan children and families who remain in Pakistan. Save the Children also is working in areas affected by the 2005 earthquake. 

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