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ACT News Release

ACT members and partners face challenges following military strikes against Afghanistan


Geneva, October 8, 2001

As tensions run high in Pakistan following military attacks on Afghanistan, ACT member, Church World Service, reports that eight of its relief trucks are being held up at border posts between the two countries.

CWS has sent 1000 shelter to help people who were fleeing Kabul for the central region of Afghanistan. The kits include plastic and ground sheeting. "The situation changes from day to day", CWS director in Karachi, Marvin Pravez, said. "But, the people who have fled their homes have nothing. They are completely exposed to the elements." CWS is also concerned about reports of civilian casualties during the military strikes. The office has been trying to verify that the 100 staff members based in Jalalabad, also under attack, are safe.

CWS is also planning on providing food for IDPs. The agency has about 500 staff members in Afghanistan who work for three local CWS-partners. Fears have been expressed that relief items, which are on its way to Afghanistan, could be looted.

In Pakistan, NCA is focussing on water and sanitation, with an expected shipment arriving within 24 hours. The equipment that include water tanks, pumps, purification units, tools to dig latrines and pit latrine covers, can be used either in Afghanistan or the planned camps in Pakistan which can accommodate 10,000 people each. Part of the NCA plan is to provide IDPs in Afghanistan with units, which consist of water and sanitation equipment, shelter, clothes, lighting and basic health care items. Psychosocial help as well as supplementary food packages, which can be purchased at the markets in Pakistan, will be available to people. NCA works mainly in Kabul, Kandhar, Herat, Mazar and Jalalabad, through its nine Afghan partners, staffed by about 1500 people. 5000 tents that have been ordered will be sent to Afghanistan.

Christian Aid representative, Julia McDade, stressed the importance of restoring at least a measure of stability to Afghanistan as quickly as possible to ensure that food distribution takes place. Speaking from Islamabad, she called for international pressure to be put on the U.S to be specific about the exact date when the military attacks will stop, so that local relief truck drivers can get back to work.

Protesters have been taking to the streets in many towns and cities in Pakistan. The Norwegian Church Aid office in Peshawar is operating with its international staff at home or in secure places for the next few days. However, NCA is communicating with its nine local partners in the network in Afghanistan, planning likely developments and preparing themselves for different scenarios. The CWS office in Karachi was forced to close on Monday, out of safety concerns for its staff.

CWS is in constant touch with churches in Pakistan, reporting that several incidents have caused concern. In Quetta a church was attacked. In Rawalpindi, houses of a Christian community were stoned. Police dispersed the crowd.