PHOENIX, AZ, Feb. 16, 2006— After a brief pullout from the city as a safety measure against the growing violence caused by the publication of Muhammad cartoons, the Food for the Hungry Emergency Relief Team (ERT) is back into action in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan.

“Our team has been able to return to the city of Muzaffarabad and has had full access of all program areas,” announces Matt Ellingson, Food for the Hungry director of relief.

In the area around Muzaffarabad, Ellingson says the situation remains extremely difficult and the road to recovery will be long and filled with obstacles. The weather remains extremely cold, he says, but adds that some of the valleys have received less than the usual snowfall, "raising the hope that certain communities will be able to return sooner."

The FHUS Pakistan ERT requests continued prayers for the team’s safety and success of the program.