John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Collins for that supplementary question and acknowledge her concern about this issue. I can say that the humanitarian crisis in the Swat Valley is worsening. An estimated 1.2 million people have been displaced by the conflict and the military has ordered all civilians to leave the Swat area. Pakistani authorities are coordinating humanitarian assistance with international aid agencies but World Vision has warned of the conditions that exist in camps.

Last month the government announced it would provide $3 million to help Pakistan meet the urgent humanitarian needs of people displaced by the rising conflict in the North-West Frontier Province and federally administered tribal areas. This is in addition to $3 million provided in October 2008 after the fighting began. (Time expired)