Pakistani IDPs need support, U.N. says

PESHAWAR, Pakistan, July 10 (UPI) -- More support is needed for the displaced population in Pakistan despite modest returns to the North-West Frontier province, the U.N. humanitarian chief said.

Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes met with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday, concluding a four-day visit to the region. Both leaders discussed the situation faced by the displaced population in Pakistan.

Fighting between insurgents loyal to the Taliban and members of the Pakistani armed forces displaced some 2 million people following the collapse of a cease-fire agreement earlier this year.

Officials in the Buner district of the NWFP said more than half of the displaced population had returned to the region. Further returns are expected, the United Nations reports.

Holmes visited various regions in the district to view the conditions for the IDP population firsthand. While he welcomed the number of returning refugees, he said more could be done in terms of offering general support and providing basic services.

"Clearly many people have made up their minds to return home, and have done so," he said. "That is welcome, but people need to be sure that the whole district is safe, with basic services reconnected, before normality can be assured."