UN urges Pakistan to take immediate steps to improve healthcare in Waziristan

Human Rights Watch has said that Pakistan should take immediate steps to improve the healthcare needs of thousands of displaced people in violence-hit North Waziristan province.

Shortage of sanitation facilities, healthcare and potable water in the city of Bannu in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp had increased the risk of communicable diseases, said the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Pakistan Country Representative.

Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch said that the Pakistani government should address the needs of displaced people in order to avoid disastrous consequences.

The Pakistani government had started an air offensive on June 15 in response to June 8 attack at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.

According to the International humanitarian law, humanitarian relief should reach the affected people in North Waziristan.

The UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, in order to tackle the protection issue of displaced people, commenced international human rights and humanitarian law standards.

Kine said that the displaced people needed support and not useless delays.