Since the beginning of the operation in North Waziristan, innumerable families have fled the area in search of safer locations. According to recent reports from Bannu, the children of internally displaced families have been falling prey to malaria, vomiting and diarrhea. Despite the declarations of support from the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Bannu has yet to be provided with medical facilities to provide adequate treatment to the affected children. The hospitals in Bannu are short on staff and medical supplies. Moreover, the IDPs have to deal with load-shedding, water shortages and no respite from the intense heat. There is only one Women and Children’s Hospital in Bannu, which is overflowing with patients who are suffering from the lack of facilities and exposure to intense heat. In the face of all these hardships, a 7 year old child succumbed to his ailments last week.
