Post-displacement : IDPs not pleased with repatriation

Those in Durrani Camp say NGOs involved in corruption.

PESHAWAR/ PARACHINAR: A shadow of doom and gloom has gripped the displaced population of the tribal areas. Most of the IDPs who are still living in camps are dissatisfied with their lives and are waiting to be sent back home. The fortunate few who have returned home complain about the deplorable state of affairs.

Woes of the displaced

Tribal elders of Kurram Agency residing in Durrani Camp have alleged the NGOs working in the region are involved in corrupt practices which have added to the woes of the IDPs in the camp.

Addressing a press conference in Parachinar on Sunday, the elders of the camp said an NGO working in the region is not doing its job properly and has used the relief money and other items to serve their own purposes.



“The relief goods have not been handed over to the IDPs who are their rightful recipients,” a tribal elder told journalists.

The elders complaint the NGO is working in lower Kurram Agency but has registered 65 families of central Kurram and is giving them Rs21,600 illegally from the share of the people they are supposed to work for.

Meanwhile, some tribespeople who have been repatriated to Eidak in North Waziristan are displeased to go back to their areas as they have been forced to accept responsibility of their territory under the Frontier Crimes Regulation. Repatriation of the displaced people of Eidak started in June after a firing incident in one of the camps which resulted in the death of two people.

Silver lining

However, there are some tribespeople who are either ecstatic to return to their native areas or have learnt to see the silver lining. Many of them have seen tough times and are pleased to return to their homes. A large number of IDPs are happy to have better security arrangements and infrastructure.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2015.