Peshawar diocese continues support of displaced persons following terrorist surge

[Episcopal News Service] The Diocese of Peshawar's ongoing relief efforts in Pakistan continued this week with a coordinated evacuation of Christian families from Malakand following a surge in terrorist activity and the intense military operation against the Taliban in the Swat valley and neighboring districts.

The evacuation was led by a diocesan survey team that visited St. George's Church in Malakand, located in the north of Peshawar, to assess the needs of local Christians. It is the most recent example of the diocese's commitment to embrace internally displaced persons (IDPs) and its concern for the wellbeing of a terrorized community.

"The area is under curfew, shops are closed, medical services are not available, and there is no transportation," said a news release from the Diocese of Peshawar, which forms part of the Church of Pakistan, a united ecumenical church and one of 38 provinces in the Anglican Communion.

The evacuees in Malakand were 18 Christian families that had been granted special travel permission by the Pakistan armed forces. They were transported by bus from Malakand to Mardan, where they have joined a further 43 families that are being provided with food, shelter and medical care in the Diocesan Relief Camp at the Christian Vocational Training Center.

USAID estimates that more than two million people have been forced out of their homes since the fighting intensified in early May.

Many of the displaced have similar horrifying stories to that of 45-year-old Shamoun Masih, a resident of Malakand who now lives with his family at the Diocesan Relief Camp. After the Taliban enforced Shariah Islamic law in Malakand, Masih succumbed to their authority for the safety of his family, according to the diocese's newsletter. He pulled his children out of school and forced his wife to stay at home. With the support of the diocesan development and relief team, Masih and his family were able to leave the war-torn area.

According to reports, Pakistani security forces have announced that more than 1,300 militants and 100 soldiers have been killed during a six-week operation to drive insurgents from the Swat Valley and neighboring districts.

The military operation commenced only two months after a peace deal was signed between the Pakistan Government and Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (Movement for the Enforcement of Islamic Law), a Pakistani militant group in Swat. Despite the peace deal, the incursion of the Taliban in the Buner district caused the situation to deteriorate.

Within 24 hours on June 10-11, 66 terrorists were killed and nine apprehended in the Malakand, Bunnu and South Waziristan districts, according to a statement on Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations website.

Meanwhile, United Nations aid workers were evacuated from Peshawar on June 10 after a terrorist bomb attack on one of the city's top hotels killed 11 people and wounded 70. Two U.N. staff members were among the dead.

In addition to the diocese's relief work with the IDPs, free medical care services are being arranged through the Diocesan Mission Hospital in Peshawar. Episcopal Relief and Development is partnering with the Diocese of Peshawar in its relief efforts.
-- Matthew Davies is editor of Episcopal Life Online and international correspondent of the Episcopal News Service.

(Episcopal Life)