Breathing familiar air: June sees return of more than 50% displaced families

Those left behind will be repatriated in phased process by end of 2016

PESHAWAR: The third week of June saw the emergence of a crucial statistic in the mission to repatriate displaced families from the tribal areas to their homeland. For the first time, the number of families that returned exceeded those displaced. However, most deregistered families refused to return as they fear for their security. These are the people posing a larger problem for authorities to sort out.

At least 154,419 families returned to their homes since being displaced from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, the UNOCHA noted in its detailed outline of the repatriation process in June. This surmounts to 51% of the total registered displaced families. The return of the remaining 149,372 families will be enabled through a phased process by the end of the year.

Sources, on the other hand, said the political administration of Khyber Agency had intimated that 37 villages were still “unclear” and requested that the Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) “to restore the TDP status” of the families. The villages are home to 1,036 families from Aka Khel, 874 from Malakdin Khel, 1414 from Qambar Khel, 521 from Shalobar Khel, 386 Kamar Khel, 386 from Sipah and 29 families from Bar Qambar Khel.





Areas are termed as clear through a formal process by the military. Only then is repatriation possible, an official explained. Most of the families from these areas have either signed the voluntary registration form (VRF) and have been paid compensation as well as transport fair, he said. The process cannot be reversed. As per the tribes, 4,646 families have been deregistered. This means they have been removed from official records which provide assistance to displaced families.

Another official said there were around 1,100 South Waziristan families which also refused to go back. “We advertise the returns and those that do not want to return are also asked to inform authorities so they can be deregistered” he explained. “It’s a voluntary process and not forced in any way”.

However, the FDMA has been repeatedly approached by jirgas of the displaced people, demanding that rations and other supplies be restored as the areas had not been cleared.

“We cannot entertain the requests at this stage,” an official said.“The data of families demanding restoration of TDP status cannot be verified from either the UNHCR or NADRA,” he added. Some of the villages mentioned in records are not present on the map and the localities only exist in the local milieu. Areas are mostly denotified for repatriation on the basis of tehsils.

“After verification, we have come to the conclusion that of the 4,646 families mentioned by the political administration of Khyber, only 286 belong to the 37 villages,” the official said. “If 156 families of the total 185 families of Bar Qambar Khel returned, why can’t the others?”

The TDP status of the tribes ended around seven months ago. Jalozai camp in Nowshera, which has been central to the entire episode, was deprived of most assistance. The UN informed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and FATA Disaster Management Authority that it will end all support starting June 1, 2016. However, some problems are more real than the others. Ziauddin Zakha Khel tribe of Bara, whose areas were denotified on May 21, 2015, has not been able to return due to deteriorating law and order, insiders said.

Stats show that as of June 29, 2016, 214,370 families or 63% of the total 338,270 displaced have returned to their homes. This also includes spontaneous returns. Another 123,900 families are still to return.

However, there are still 264 families from Bajaur and nine families from Mohmand that are deregistered, but have been residents of the camp since 2011.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2016.