|
A displaced woman carries food relief provided by para-military forces in Buner Each of the displaced families having seven members has been receiving 40kg wheat flour, 5kg sugar, 10kg rice, 5kg pulses, 5kg ghee, four soaps and 1kg dry milk per month from the government since May 13.
According to the UN estimates, 87 per cent of the internally displaced persons live with host communities in schools, hospitals and houses and, so, were being provided food by their hosts. Therefore, they receive relief goods, but sell the same in local markets to pay for other expenses.
‘We sell the relief items because my mother is suffering from diabetes and she needs regular medication. We are not getting medicines from anyone,’ said Gul Rahim, 38, a labour from Saidu Sharif now living in a school in Par Hoti, Mardan, along with his wife, three children and mother.
He conceded that he was selling the relief goods to local shopkeepers at throwaway prices but said he had to purchase medicines for his ailing mother for which he had no other option.
‘I receive the stuff every month and make Rs3,000 from its sale. This month, I bought a pedestal fan and a gas cylinder for cooking,’ said 21-year-old Javed Ali from Ambela in Buner. |
