“I was driving my tractor in the field when the rocket hit me…there was a lot of crossfire at the time between the government and the militants. My back was broken as a result… Now I cannot move either of my legs. I am forever disabled and cannot walk.” –Rahman, from Bajaur Pakistan.
Daily dangers for civilians in Pakistan are militant attacks, drone strikes, military operations, and suicide bombings. Yet in talking with Pakistanis across the country and lawmakers in Islamabad, we found that war victims aren’t being properly recognized or helped.
We’re working to change this. We’ve traversed the country to document civilian harm, interview war victims about their needs, and offer policy solutions to getting them help.
Earlier this year, we were advisors on a government victims assistance program, which was approved by the Balochistan legislature. That means victims of two horrific suicide bombings are eligible for aid. We also convinced the US Congress to create a fund in Pakistan to help conflict victims, which has been allocated over $10 million.
We are also advocating for more responsible US counterterrorism practices, ensuring any lethal force used does not put civilians at increased risk and that the policy itself does not obscure the true cost to civilian populations. This includes drone strikes in Pakistan and elsewhere.
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