IDP's Return To Their Homes-News and Updates

saiyan0321 · Oct 18, 2016

The fallout of operation Zarb-e-Azb saw a large number of people being displaced from various agencies of FATA taking refuge in camps and other areas of the country. Over 300,000 families were displaced from their areas as a result of the operation. 190,000 families have returned to their areas so far. Those still languishing in camps and other places face enormous difficulties.

A sizable number of families however went to Afghanistan. Government of Pakistan launched a registration drive to repatriate such families in a dignified way. Around 24,000 NADRA verified families were repatriated as a result.

However, there are still many left in the neighboring country who couldn’t register themselves for one reason or the other even though the registration process was open for around 8 months .

According to government policy such unregistered TDPs (temporary displaced persons) are not entitled to receive the transport and return cash grants which are 10,000 and 25,000 PKR respectively.

The transport and return cash grants are only given to registered and NADRA verified TDP families upon voluntary return after their particular area is cleared for return by Pakistan Army. Additionally, each family gets food ration for six months after return.

However, not every family gets registered in time. There are various reasons for it but the major one is lack of information and guidance to know their rights.

The total number of displaced families registered from North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Kurram and Orakzai were around 324,965, however, only 244,353 families could be verified through NADRA.

Agency wide breakdown of Total Registered TDP Families vs NADRA Verified.

While many of those not verified by NADRA were duplicate registrations, or one or more of their family members had already been registered, a sizable number of people couldn’t be verified because they were simply not registered with NADRA database.

Despite going through all the hardships, such non-verified TDPs neither get monthly stipend during their time of displacement nor do they get the return and transport cash grants.

So far, our of the 324,965 registered families, 191,235 have returned back to their areas in the four agencies. However, 63,706 of the returned were unregistered, and 44,465 were the ones who spontaneously returned to their areas without government consent.

The spontaneous return of all, is of most concern since these are the ones who were verified in the database and eligible for all cash grants and assistance but they returned to their areas on their own without formally registering with the government bodies, they don’t get any type of assistance.

UNHCR is working closely with government of Pakistan to fill this gap by facilitating TDPs during their time of displacement, assist them during registration process and ensure their dignified return back home.

Their funded project, that is executed by FATA Disaster Management Authority, has hired one Repatriation Officer for each of the four agencies to help assist TDPs, inform and educate them about their rights, document and resolve their grievances, and to ensure their voluntary return back home in a dignified way.

Each Repatriation Officer is assisted by two Assistants to ensure smooth working of the process for TDPs.

During the months of July to September, 16,874 families successfully returned to their areas in the four targeted Tribal Agencies. This includes 4618 families from Orakzai, 1558 from Kurram, 7508 from South Waziristan, and 3190 from North Waziristan.

Breakdown of TDP FamiliesRepatriated between July and Sept2016.OrakzaiSouthWaziri…NorthWaziri…Kurram27.4%44.5%
Task Breakdown of TDP Families Repatriated between July and Sept.
Orakzai 4,618
South Waziristan 7,508
North Waziristan 3,190
Kurram 1,558

Each of these 16,874 families were given Rs 25,000 as return cash grant and Rs 10,000 as transport grant to help them make their ends meet upon their return.

At the moment, 86% of Kurram TDPs, 51% of North Waziristan, 60% of Orakzai, and 32% of South Waziristan TDPs have successfully returned to their areas.

As more and more areas are being declared clear for return by the Army, the people belonging to that area are soon repatriated.

http://www.voiceofjournalists.com/f...ack-to-their-areas-amid-various-difficulties/

Hmm it seems the massive issue is the repatriation of those that went to Afghanistan but didn't register neither with NADRA nor with UNHCR nor with the program which makes things difficult.

Post war scenarios are entirely dealt by civilian govts and in post war development, successful repatriation of the displaced people and provision of basic requirements are key.

This is why I wholeheartedly support reforms in fata as well as a merger so that the competent govt of kpk along with federal and FC can help FATA get back on its feet and grow.

@WAJsal perhaps have a sticky for IDP return and news related to them.

WAJsal · Oct 20, 2016

Done and sorry for being late, please look to keep this one up to date.
On topic: This is brilliant news, time for social and economic developments in those areas.
regards

saiyan0321 · Oct 20, 2016

WAJsal said:
Done and sorry for being late, please look to keep this one up to date.
On topic: This is brilliant news, time for social and economic developments in those areas.
regards

Thanks. No issue.

Will try my best.

Yes development is kicking around. I think today FATA university in darra Adam khel had its first classes and are looking to expand the university further and we also opened an army cadet institution in south Waziristan.

TANK (Dunya News) – Chief of the Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif has inaugurated a cadet college in Spinkai Raghzai area of South Waziristan Agency on Thursday.

http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/357608-Army-chief-inaugurates-Cadet-College-Spinkai-in-So

In the image in the link it states the land for the college was DONATED by the locals to the army which showcases that the people of SW don't hate the army and all the propaganda our neighbor on the east tells are blatant willful lies.

Allow me to kick off this thread with a news.

South Waziristan: fourth phase of IDPs return begins

Fourth phase of South Waziristan IDPs return has begun from today, which will continue till December 6 and 400 families will return on daily basis. According to a statement release by ISPR, 81 villages' IDPs will return to their areas during fourth phase of South Waziristan IDPs return. According to Pakistan Army spokesperson, 400 families are returning to their areas on daily basis, while Pakistan Army is monitoring the return of IDPs. At least 90 education institutions, 63 markets and four health and medical centers have been constructed in South Waziristan.

PESHAWAR: The fourth phase of the return and rehabilitation process of the people displaced from South Waziristan will commence on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by the ISPR, the military’s public relations wing, 81 villages of Ladha, Makeen, Sararogha, Sarwakai and Tiarza tehsils will be rehabilitated during the phase that will continue till Dec 6.

A staging camp has been set up at Khairgai, which houses the required infrastructure for smooth registration of the displaced people returning home, including a medical centre, polio vaccination, amusement centres for children and a facilitation desk.

The statement said the progress of the return so far was encouraging, reflected through a daily average turnover of around 400 families since the process began.

The return and rehabilitation work undertaken by the army includes rehabilitation and reconstruction of 150 drinking water supply schemes and construction of more than 90 schools and 63 markets.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2016

https://www.dawn.com/news/1290911/over-80-south-waziristan-villages-to-be-rehabilitated

This is the last phase.

RETURN OF TDPS TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER
The process will be completed by 6th December.

return-of-tdps-to-s-waziristan-starts-1476942579-6841.jpg

10:47 AM, 20 Oct, 2016

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The return of Temporarily Displaced Persons to five tehsils of South Waziristan Agency has been launched and will be completed by 6th December.

The tehsils are Ladah, Makin, Sararogha, Sarwakai and Tiarza.

Sources of FATA Secretariat told our Peshawar correspondent that Pakistan Army has completed development schemes in these areas.

It includes one hundred and fifty water supply schemes, one hundred schools, four hospitals and over sixty markets.

http://www.radio.gov.pk/20-Oct-2016/return-of-tdps-to-s-waziristan-starts

saiyan0321 · Oct 21, 2016

PESHAWAR: The government has distributed about Rs 1.88 billion among the Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs) of Mehsud areas of tehsils Sararogha and Sarokai in South Waziristan Agency under the head of compensation of the damaged houses.

Political Agent, South Waziristan Agency Zafarul Islam Khattak in a statement said on Monday that the government had approved Rs 1.93 bln for the first phase for compensation of damaged houses for tehsil Sararogha and Sarokai in South Waziristan Agency (SWA) against which about Rs 1.88 bln have been so far disbursed by the political administration of South Waziristan Agency.

In the second phase, he said that Rs 1.516 has been approved and its distribution would commence soon. For quick resolution of complaints, he said a high level committee under chairmanship of Political Agent South Waziristan Agency has been setup.

The Political Agent said any beneficiary if have complaints regarding payment and receiving of cheques can submit their applications in the office of Political Agent and Assistant Political Agent South Waziristan Agency, adding the complaints can also be registered on Phone Number 0963-510364/510386.

He said the political administration would continue efforts till rehabilitation of last TDP.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2016

saiyan0321 · Oct 21, 2016

Programme (WFP) has successfully implemented its first cash-for-work programme for conflict-affected people who have returned to their areas of origin in the South Waziristan Agency (SWA) of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Under the programme, people are paid to work on projects that provide livelihood opportunities while helping reduce disaster risks in their communities. In the first phase, WFP is providing approximately PKR 18 million (approx. USD 172,000) to just over 3,000 participants in September and October in SWA. Similar interventions will follow in other FATA agencies: they allow beneficiaries to buy fresh produce and other necessities, boosting markets and the local economy in the process. The project is made possible thanks to USD 4.2 million from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and GBP 2 million from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for the FATA Return & Rehabilitation programme.

A total of 44 training courses on disaster risk reduction and vegetable production were organized for 975 participants; 55 km of link roads/paths have been repaved, and the same length of irrigation channels rehabilitated. Overall, 67 physical infrastructure projects have been completed. Beneficiaries were also trained in first aid, firefighting and other livelihood-enhancing skills. WFP provides PKR 6,000 (approx. USD 75) to each participant for the 15-day work cycle.

“To be able to provide cash assistance in the South Waziristan Agency is a great achievement and is proving instrumental in improving the lives of people in this area. This was only possible through strong local partnerships and the financial support of our donors,” said BaiMankay Sankoh, Head of the WFP Provincial Office in Peshawar.

WFP has been implementing asset-creation programmes in Pakistan since 2010, but this is the first time such a programme using cash has been implemented in SWA. Given the challenging physical and political situation, WFP worked with its local NGO partner Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) and the United Bank Limited (UBL) to ensure all infrastructure and systems were in place to implement the programme successfully.

So far, WFP has distributed over 19,000 cash cards to displaced people and returnees in FATA. By the end of 2016, the aim is to exceed 26,000 cards.

WFP will continue to support the FATA Secretariat and the Government of Pakistan under its three year country programme (2016-18) by providing cash and food-based assistance to approximately 2.2 million displaced and returnee people from seven agencies in FATA including Khyber, South Waziristan and North Waziristan agencies.

http://reliefweb.int/report/pakistan/wfp-provides-cash-returnees-south-waziristan-agency-pakistan

saiyan0321 · Oct 23, 2016

WANA: The 4th phase of the return process of the Temporary Displaced Persons (TDPs) to South Waziristan Agency has been launched.

According to the political administration, the 4th phase, which started on October 19, would continue till December 2.

Sources said that as many as 70,000 families had returned to their hometowns and villages in South Waziristan Agency during the earlier three phases so far.

Pakistan Army and political administration are jointly assisting the returning families in their transportation and rehabilitation in their native areas.

Political Officer, South Waziristan Agency, Muhammad Shoaib Khan said that a makeshift camp had been established at Khargi area in Frontier Region Tank for the facilitation of the returning IDPs.

He added that the returning IDPs were being registered at the camp and issued the Watan Card on their return.

The official maintained that the returning displaced families were being transported in the form of convoys under tight security cover provided by the Pakistan Army.

Muhammad Shoaib went on to say that every returning family was being provided Rs10,000 transportation fare as well as Rs25,000 for miscellaneous expenses through Automated Tiller Machine (ATM) card.

He said that a team of surveyors were carrying out assessment survey of the damaged houses in South Waziristan.

The official said that the government had distributed Rs1.93 billion among the TDPs so far while another Rs1.46 billion would be given within the next few weeks in this regard.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/159210-Fourth-phase-of-TDPs-return-to-South-Waziristan-underway

saiyan0321 · Nov 1, 2016

PESHAWAR: The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation has begun the largest distribution of wheat seeds for Rabi crops to revitalise farming in four militancy-hit agencies of Fata, said a statement issued here on Monday.

“This is the largest Rabi seed distribution drive for this year in Fata,” the statement said.

A total of target beneficiaries 100,626 including 42,446 in North Waziristan, 30,128 in South Waziristan, 9,600 in Kurram and 18,452 in Khyber Agency. The campaign will be completed by the end of November.

The UN agency has started seed distribution drive in Bara, Khyber Agency, last week and 2,571 beneficiaries received seed packages.

UN agency says campaign meant to revitalise farming in four agencies
It said 1,924 growers received 50 kilograms of wheat seed each, which could be sown on one acre of land.

Another 647 beneficiaries, who rely on livestock production for their livelihood, were given fodder package.

Lentil seed, which is considered a cheap source of protein, is also being distributed along with oat seed. Lentil intercropping with oat will help in the provision of nitrogen which is an essential element for plant growth.

FAO’s operation is linked to ensuring food security. The beneficiaries are the internally displaced persons, who have recently returned to their homes in their area which was hit by conflict.

Like other sectors the decade long conflict had badly affected agriculture sector in the militancy hit areas of Fata. Large numbers of people depend upon agriculture.

World Food Programme and its partners had conducted study which showed returnees were vulnerable to food insecurity as majority of them own agricultural land with low productivity.

“The returnee populations are vulnerable to food insecurity. Overall, 28 percent of the households have acceptable food consumption, 18 percent have poor consumption, while 54 percent have borderline consumption and 44 percent of households suffer from a caloric consumption deficit, considering a minimum daily requirement of 2,100 Kcal per person,” said the report.

The return of the IDPs to their homes is in progress. The government has planned to complete return process by the end of November.

The statement said holistic approach had been adopted in its project activities where seed distribution was carried out. In addition, IDPs had been facilitated in land reclamation so that the land which could no longer be used was made fit for cultivation again.

This also includes rehabilitation of irrigation schemes and capacity building through Farmer Field Schools and Women Open Schools.

The FAO seed distribution is supported by the Agriculture Extension Directorate of the Fata Secretariat. The Pakistan Army provides security to the FAO’s distribution points to facilitate the entire process.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2016

saiyan0321 · Nov 4, 2016

PESHAWAR: The second phase of the payment of compensation for damaged houses in South Waziristan Agency will begin today (Friday).

A total of 4,700 militancy affected families of Mehsud tribe will be paid cash during the phase.

The Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Unit of the Civil Secretariat Fata under the federal government-funded Citizen Loss Compensation Programme had paid compensation money to 5,445 of the 5,575 families in the first phase.

An official told Dawn that the steering committee consisting of officials of the relevant departments, army officers and local elders had verified the cases of 4,700 families for compensation and that they would be paid cash assistance.

4,700 militancy-hit families of Mehsud tribe will get payments for damaged houses
He said 40 families would get cash compensation during a ceremony to be held in Chagmali area of South Waziristan today (Friday).

The disproportionate use of force by security forces against militants in tribal areas, especially South Waziristan Agency, had caused widespread damages to houses, commercial properties and other infrastructure.

In addition, weather was another factor that caused severe damage to houses in the last few years.

After the completion of military operations, the government announced the payment of compensation for damaged houses. The RRU is paying Rs400,000 for a fully damaged and Rs160,000 for a partially damaged house in the militancy-hit tribal area to the affected families.

The official said the survey teams had identified around 6,000 damaged houses in third phase in South Waziristan and that owners would be paid compensation once the government released funds.

“The survey of damaged houses in Mehsud area is likely to be completed in five phases,” he said.

The official said the army units had begun immediate reconstruction of drinking water, health and educational facilities in the area.

Payment of compensation in North Waziristan Agency is also in progress.

Around 2,000 houses damaged in the Zarb-i-Azb military operation have been surveyed in North Waziristan.

The authorities had paid compensation to 397 affected families in North Waziristan so far, while the next phase of payment of compensation will start very soon.

The official sources said teams had completed survey of 4,100 damaged houses in Khyber Agency, too.

Another official said delay in the release of funds from the centre had caused delay in payment of compensation to militancy-stricken families.

He said the civil secretariat had asked the federal government to release Rs1.2 billion to be paid to the families in Khyber Agency.

The official said the survey of damaged houses had been completed in different areas of Khyber Agency.

Also, the payment of compensation for damaged houses in Kurram and Orakzai agencies hangs in balance.

The civil secretariat had released Rs193 million and Rs150 million for Orakzai and Kurram agencies, respectively, but its payment has yet to begin.

Officials said the return of IDPs to their homes was going on very fast compared to the payment of compensation to the irritation of returnees.

The government has already announced the return of all IDPs to their homes in Fata by the end of December.

According to the Fata Disaster Management Authority, a total of 245,246 families has gone back to Fata while the rest will be repatriated by the end of the year.

The return of IDPs to Kurram, Orakzai and Khyber agencies is near completion, while that of IDPs to Orakzai Agency is likely to be completed by November 15.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2016

http://www.dawn.com/news/1294169/second-phase-of-compensation-for-s-waziristan-tribals-begins-today

saiyan0321 · Nov 12, 2016

Pakistan: Multi-Cluster Assessment of IDPs and Returnees KP/FATA August 2016
REPORT
from UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Published on 30 Sep 2016 —View Original

Download PDF (4.25 MB)
Executive summary

Pakistan has faced a fragile security situation in the north-west region of the country since 2007, which triggered massive displacement from conflict affected areas. Following security operations, the government announced a phased return plan for all IDPs. Since March 2015, 187,678 families have been successfully facilitated to return to FATA, whilst 116,113 families still remain in displacement.

The FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and the humanitarian community agreed to conduct a multi- cluster assessment to better understand the needs of affected communities. The assessment was covered five agencies of FATA, (Khyber, Kurrum, Orakzai, SWA and NWA), and five districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, DI Khan and Tank). The key objective of the assessments was to better understand the availability of services and facilities, gaps in the provision of assistance, identify key priority areas for further interventions, and ensure close coordination on the relief and early recovery components.

The assessment methodology was based on a household survey and key informant interviews. A total of 2,674 household interviews (891 with women respondents and 1,783 with men respondents) and 245 key informant (KI) interview (38 with women and 207 with men KIs) were conducted

http://reliefweb.int/report/pakista...essment-idps-and-returnees-kpfata-august-2016

I am also going to post the images of the report.