Merlin is providing 24-hour health care for the thousands of people returning home to Buner in the North West Frontier Province, after being displaced by recent fighting. We were one of the first NGOs to enter the area, assess the damage and start work immediately to prepare for people's return.

A member of the assessment team said: "We were shocked by the level of destruction. Hospitals and health centres had been damaged and looted, electricity and water supplies cut off and drugs, medical equipment and ambulances stolen."

Our medical team liaised with the district authorities, community leaders and members of the public to find out  the most crucial needs. And they immediately supplied the district hospital with essential drugs and a generator.

The logistics team then went to set up a health centre in Krapa Camp, home to 21,000 people, who are not yet able to return to their homes. Dr Asghar, Merlin's Medical Supervisor said: "Within a few hours we had assembled furniture, medical equipment and drugs and deployed a medical team. They set to work straight away and by the end of the day had treated 211 patients. The people here are mainly suffering from gastroenteritis and acute respiratory infections. They are exhausted."

Delighted with Merlin's rapid and effective response, the head of the district health authority said: "In a very short time you have achieved so much â€" more than I could ever have imagined.â€�

Providing health care for over 100,000 people

Merlin is now supporting nine health facilities, including a district hospital and has set up two mobile health teams in Buner, providing health care for over 100,000 people.

Medical teams are now starting to offer child vaccinations, antenatal and postnatal care and nutritional support and are also establishing an early warning system to spot deadly diseases in time to save lives.

However, the lack of health workers in the region is a huge challenge. Many have been killed or have fled their posts in fear of their lives. Hundreds are too afraid to return home, especially female staff living in rural areas. Merlin is now working with the district authorities to ensure there are enough health workers in their posts to be able to offer the level of care that people desperately need.  

Dr Maria Luiza Galer, Merlin’s Country Director in Pakistan said: “We have achieved a great deal in Buner, helping to get the hospitals and health centres back up and running. But we have a long way to go.�

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