Plan Launches Afghan Crisis Appeal

Childreach
Thursday, 18 October 2001

"The deepening humanitarian crisis is continuing to gravely affect Afghan civilians," according to Plan Pakistan Program Manager Haider W. Yaqub. "The biggest sufferers of the present crisis are Afghan children."

According to a local newspaper, thousands of refugees are gathering near different entry points on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. At this time, they have no access to shelter, food, or medicines. The government of Pakistan estimates that more than one million Afghan refugees could cross its borders in the coming weeks.

To address this crisis, Plan has linked with the government of Pakistan as well as other established organizations to provide emergency assistance at camps along the border at the North West Frontier Province. As one of the few nongovernmental organizations with long-term programs in the area, Plan benefits from a strong relationship with the government of Pakistan that enables this collaborative effort.

The focus of Plan's programs will be the children of Afghanistan. They will receive their basic needs such as food, water, first aid, and shelter, and also benefit from basic education and support.

For more information, or to contact Childreach, see their website at: www.childreach.org