The UN World Food Programme has been forced to close 20 food hubs supplying food aid to over two million people in North West Frontier Province, owing to rising security fears. .
A suicide bomber attacked the WFP office in Islamabad killing five employees.
All WFP food distribution centres in Charsadda, Swabi, Dir, Mardan, Buner, Swat and Bajaur were closed on 21 October, accordig to. WFP spokesman Amjad Jamal,who adds that the situation would be reviewed after a while
Pakistan has been witnessing a spate of suicide bombings in recent weeks. The latest attack shook the Islamic International University in Islamabad and claimed at least six lives.
The WFP food hubs beneiftted 2.3 million people displaced this year as a result of the conflict between government forces and Taliban militants. Though most of the displaced from Swat, Dir and Buner have returned home since fighting ended in July, a large number remain in need of food aid.
News of their closure brought immediate concern from people who continue to struggle to survive.
‘I still have no job, though now and again I earn a little doing odd jobs. The monthly food aid given to us helped make sure my family had something to eat, and made us feel a bit more secure’, Abdul Wahab, 35, told IRIN from Mingora in Swat.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said (Oct 20) thatPakistan was "in a state of war". At least 2,280 people are estimated to have died during the last two years as a result of "terrorist" attacks.
