S. Waziristan displaced residents receive aid

As the military operation expands in South Waziristan, thousands continue to flee. On Sunday, many homeless residents gathered at the sports stadium in Dera Ismail Khan to recieve aid and handouts.

After days of fleeing their hometowns, these displaced Pakistanis are hungry, frightened, and exhausted.

Zahir Alam, displaced citizen, said, "Aircraft can bomb any house, because they don't know whether there are Taliban members or common people inside. If there's gunfire from anywhere nearby, the military can bomb the whole area."

People hope that they can return home as soon as possible ... but first ... they need food, water, and other supplies. Most displaced residents, however, say the handouts are not enough for their families.

Ismail Mehsud, Displaced citizen, said, "Our village was burned out. All of our belongings went up in flames. They just give us one or two bedding mats here. That is not sufficient."

About 15-thousand people have fled the war zone, but officials do not expect the situation to become a humanitarian crisis.

A pro-government tribal elder hopes the military operation results in peace and progress for South Waziristan.

Maulvi Sher Mohammad Mensub, Tribal Elder, said, "If the government leaves that area, the people will think it is friendly with the Taliban troublemakers. If the government remains, though, there will be schools and roads in the area."