North West Frontier Province of Pakistan.
Children in Palosa Camp, Charsadda district.
From September 2008 to May 2009, MSF worked in Palosa Camp of Charsadda district. Palosa Camp started as an improvised settlement in a school, and was then extended with tents. Housing a total of 432 families (2592 individuals), the majority displaced by fighting in Bajaur Agency in September. MSF carried out water and sanitation activities, built latrines, and regularly distributed relief items. MSF passed on activities to other organisations end of May 2009 *** Local Caption *** A massive influx of displaced people fleeing fighting in Bajaur Agency (500 000 people) in August 2008 and in Swat and Buner in April 2009 (1 to 2 million people) has caused significant strain on local families and health centres all around the region. Between 80 90% of the displaced population are living with resident families and improvised settlements all around the NWFP. The rest are living in official displaced persons camps. The dispersion of the displaced population over a large area and the general insecurity in the region have been major factors limiting MSF action.