IMC Offers Help To "Invisible" Afghan Refugees In Pakistan

November, 2001 —There is barely enough room in the mud huts where they live and never enough food to feed everyone, but that has not stopped Afghan refugees from taking in their friends and relatives known as "invisible" refugees. Nor has it stopped IMC from offering this unregistered part of the refugee population the medical care they need.

"We can't let these innocent people slip through the cracks," said IMC President and CEO, Nancy Aossey during her November visit to Katcha Garhi and New Shamshatoo of Peshawar, Pakistan, two of the camps where IMC offers basic health care to over 75,000 residents.

During a recent survey, IMC learned that since the bombing began, over 5,000 people arrived at Katcha Garhi alone. Because these families are not formally registered with the Pakistani government, they receive no support from governmental agencies, and are deemed "invisible". But their existence, and their need for medical attention are real to IMC, one agency that is reaching out to help.

In Katcha Garhi, IMC Basic Health Units provide complete Primary Health Care to the camp community in the form of immunizations, maternal and child health, a pharmacy, health education, nursing, and a laboratory. IMC has also trained 50 Community Health Workers and 30 Traditional Birth Attendants, who are now working closely with the Katcha Garhi community.

In New Shamshatoo Camp, located 40 km north of Peshawar, IMC serves a sector of the population consisting of approximately 11,500 registered individuals. As at Katcha Garhi, many of those families have been joined by "invisible" refugees, who IMC continues to help, despite their lack of official status.

"They may be known as invisible. But to IMC, their need for health care and humanitarian aid is impossible to ignore," said Aossey.