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UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie speaks with the BBC News team on the ground in Pakistan.

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Photo Gallery Pakistan: Fleeing the Fighting in Swat

More than two million people were displaced by the fighting between the army and Taliban militants in and around the Swat Valley in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province in the first half of 2009. The speed and magnitude of the crisis was unprecedented. Within months of the emergency, the Government initiated a return strategy, shifting the emphasis from providing immediate humanitarian assistance to supporting return, early recovery and reconstruction efforts.

These photos were taken during the emergency phase, when the majority of the displaced were staying in public buildings, such as schools or with friends and extended family members.

Photo credits: UNHCR/H. Caux

Displaced girls at Jalala camp collect food from a central distribution centre to carry back to their family tents. Women are traditionally prohibited from appearing in public, so most send their children to collect food instead. UNHCR/H. CauxA small boy who arrived recently with his family in Jalala camp. Many children are suffering from extreme heat. UNHCR/H. Caux Young girls and men queue separately for cooked rations in Jalala camp. The food has been donated by private citizens as well as the government. UNHCR/H. CauxMany children in the camps are suffering from skin infections caused by the heat. The Pashtun people from cooler areas in Swat, Lower Dir and Buner districts suffer particularly, with early summer temperatures topping 40 degrees centigrade. UNHCR/H. CauxA volunteer prepares food for distribution to displaced people in Jalala camp. UNHCR/H. CauxDisplaced children living in a school near the town of Mardan. Many schools ended their term early in order to make room for the displaced. As of May 19, 457 schools in Mardan district were accommodating the displaced. UNHCR/H. CauxDisplaced children outside a school near Mardan. UNHCR/H. CauxA Pakistani woman checks the food that she has donated to displaced people at a school near Mardan. She also brought shoes to give away. Pakistani people have shown extreme generosity towards the displaced. UNHCR/H. CauxDisplaced children resting in a school near Mardan. UNHCR/H. CauxA banner hung by a local NGO urges donations in Sheik Yasin camp. Local NGOs are active in raising funds and visibility for the cause of the displaced. UNHCR/H. CauxTV journalists prepare to go live from the camp at Sheik Yasin. UNHCR/H. CauxA displaced boy suffering from diarrhoea is treated in a health tent in Sheikh Yasin camp. Together with his mother, the boy fled his village in the Swat Valley to escape bombing and fighting. UNHCR/H. CauxA displaced man shows his national ID card before receiving a ration card from UNHCR and WFP (World Food Programme). The ration card will guarantee him and his family assistance. UNHCR and the government have established 89 registration points in North-West Frontier Province. UNHCR/H. Caux