WFP closes down food outlets for Malakand IDPs

PESHAWAR (APP) Food distribution outlets of World Food Programme (WFP) for both in camp and off camp Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Malakand Division closed down in the province, sources in Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) told the agency. The distribution of food items amongst the affectees of the terrorism in Malakand Division was started in May 2009, when more than 2.2 million residents of the division migrated from area and took shelter in the makeshift tent camps and relatives in Mardan, Swabi, Nowsehera and Peshawar. According to the sources in PDMA, a huge 266,221 metric ton food has been distributed amongst the affectees of Malakand Division, so far, through 58 food distribution outlets. For the purpose, five outlets were established both in Peshawar and Swabi, Nowhera two, Charsadda three, Kohat one, Buner six, Shangla two, Dir two, Abbottabad one, Haripur one, Swat 15 and highest number of 17 in Mardan. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) with assistance of World Food Program (WFP) distributed food kits containing food requirement of one month for both in-camp and off camp IDPs families. The kit was having 10 kilogram sugar, 10 kilogram flour, 10 kilogram rice, pulses and some times even match boxes and milk powder. An official of the authority said that though the food distribution would be stopped. However, different programs initiated for the complete rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of the affected people would remain continue. He said that according to the charter of United Nations, the IDPs remain entitled for the facility of free food for a period of 6 months after repatriation to their areas. In case of the affectees of Malakand Division, the food distribution remained continued for a long period of 10 months.

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