ISLAMABAD, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- As many as 1.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) out of total 2.2 million dislocated during the conflicts in different areas in Pakistan's troubled northwest had so far returned to their homes, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Martin Mogwanja said here Wednesday.
"The monitoring mechanism in place for recording the return shows that 1.3 million IDPs have returned to their homes," he told media at a news conference.
He however was a bit short of confirming the exact figure as he stated, "we need to look again at the number as lot of Malakand IDPs were coming to Swat and Buner."
Flanked by Masoodul Mulk CEO SRSP and Neva Khan Country Director OXFAM GB Pakistan to express their views on the eve of World Humanitarian Day, Mogwanja said, large number of IDPs from Bajaur and Mohmand tribal agencies are still living at camps near Peshawar and Nowshera.
Answering a question about donation, he appreciated the recent assistance worth 30 million U.S. dollars by the UAE government for immediate rehabilitation of the IDPs returning to their homes.
"It would be very beneficial for early recovery and rehabilitation of the IDPs," he said mentioning to this assistance.
Mogwanja said, coping with any emerging situation is initial responsibility of the civil administration though the United Nations has set a Disaster Risk Management segment as well as One-UN program to help the government.
Answering another question, he said the United Nations has so far announced no individual awards for outstanding performance of any individual or any one organization, outfit or entity. He however announced an award for the media for outstanding reporting of the calamity and the problems of the IDPs.
Mogwanja said, relief for the IDPs was an enormous challenge but the conduct of the government, the NGOs and the CBOs and above all the local community who opened their arms, hearts and even houses for the IDPs, was laudable and appreciable.
He spoke highly of Pakistani President Asif Zardari and the government for commendable efforts to provide relief to IDPs and announcement of the Award for them by the President on the Independence Day.
He said Pakistan government itself remained the third major donor for the IDPs relief by donating 26 million dollars to our call. "The government not only carried out the relief activities by itself but also donated to the humanitarian community."