AFTER Bajaur, a humanitarian crisis is brewing in Swat where a three-month-old ceasefire virtually broke down on Tuesday. With Taliban refusing to lay down their arms despite the formation of the Darul Qaza demanded by Sufi Mohammad, the violent incidents were not entirely unexpected. Defying curfew, groups of armed Taliban have targeted the symbols of state power, occupying Saidu Sharif police station, the DIG office and the office of the District Nazim, while encircling the residence of Commissioner Malakand. They have also attacked the local grid station, killing an FC personnel. A TV channel has reported gunship helicopters pounding militant hideouts in Mingora, the principal city of Swat. An evacuation order by the Army, subsequently withdrawn, led to thousands streaming out of Mingora. With military operation continuing in Buner and Lower Dir, as many as 500,000 additional people might turn into internally displaced persons in days to come. Last month, the number of displaced persons had reached 600,000. With 1.1 million people thrown out of their homes and forced to live in uncertain conditions, this would constitute a humanitarian crisis of major magnitude. The question is whether the NWFP government is able to handle it. There being a political government in place, it has been able to extract undertaking from local donors to look after some of the camps while doctors have volunteered to attend patients. Keeping in view the scale of displacement, the help by private citizens would cover only a fraction of the IDPs. Rs five million for each district being released by the provincial government too would be insufficient. There is a need on the part of the federal government to make available sufficient funds to deal with the situation. Before approaching international donors, it should launch an appeal for funds at home. The way Pakistanis responded to the plight of earthquake victims in 2006 indicates people can be mobilized to offer funds and services at times of national emergency.