The United Nations and other humanitarian agencies are working with Pakistan to finalize a strategy for the facilitated return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes, UN officials said Thursday.

UN refugee agency and Pakistani officials say that over two million people are displaced as the result of fighting between the Taliban militants and the security forces in parts of Pakistan's northwest.

UN humanitarian coordinator Martin Mogwanja said at a news conference that the strategy was aimed at ensuring safe and sustainable return of displaced families once security situation improves and public services were restored in the affected areas.

The Pakistani government says that the IDPs return may start later this month to the Swat valley as well as Buner and Low Dir districts of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Mogwania said that the humanitarian agencies sent a mission to Buner to ascertain whether or not the situation was conducive for the return of the IDPs and according to its assessment 70 percent of the basic services had been restored there. He said that about 300 affected families were daily returning to Buner.

He said that the humanitarian community was continuing its support in the form of provision of food and non food items besides health care facilities to the IDPs both inside and outside the relief camps.

Responding to a question, Mogwanja said that significant funding was required during the next three to four weeks to continue the relief activities.

"Besides, additional funds will also be required for the facilitated return of the IDPs to their homes," he said.

In reply to another question, the UN humanitarian coordinator said that the UN agencies were in touch with the Pakistani government to prepare a response strategy aimed at ensuring better facilities and care to the affected families in the monsoon season.

Source: Xinhua