A month on: FDMA still surveying Bajaur Agency

Thousands struggle through winter in tents, wait for survey teams

SHABQADAR: Surveys to assess earthquake-related damage in Bajaur Agency are still not complete a month after the earth shook in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Fata. People continue to live under the open skies; the heart of winter approaches and the federal government is yet to compensate them for their damaged houses.

In the aftermath of the October 26 earthquake, Bajaur turned out to be one of the most affected agencies in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). According to a preliminary assessment, 20,000 houses were reported to be damaged. This was then revised to almost 3,000 by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) – a number which will change in coming days as surveys continue at snail’s pace.

The federal government also advised FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) to conduct a thorough survey of the damaged houses in the region. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced the federal government would distribute cheques among the affected victims, including those whose property was damaged.

Long winter ahead

A month later, administrative officials from Bajaur Agency are still conducting their survey. FDMA officials report they are still waiting to receive funds from the federal government to distribute among locals to reconstruct their damaged houses.

Saleemullah Khan, who resides in Shahgo village, one kilometre from agency headquarters Khar, said he was still waiting for survey teams to visit his place for damage assessment.

“I received a tent from the political administration but no survey teams have visited my house. The damage from the earthquake has made the house impossible to live in,” said Saleemullah. He added eight other houses in his village were also damaged. “We are all facing the cold in tents, where one cannot even use fuel as a heat source.”

According to the FDMA website, only 2,671 blankets have been distributed in the agency – where residents of 2,113 damaged houses and 751 destroyed houses are trying to tackle the situation on their own.

Muhammad Saleem Khan, a journalist and member of the earthquake survey team, told The Express Tribune the administration designed three types of survey teams. “The Tehsil Steering Committee comprises of tehsil administrative officials, local media and representatives from security forces, education department, public health or Communication and Works department, as well as tribal elders.” He added, “The Sub-divisional Steering team consists of the sub-divisional officers, and Agency Steering Committee examines completed surveys,” said Muhammad Saleem.

According to the journalist, people have to wait for the results before repairing the damages. “If locals reconstruct their damaged infrastructure, then they will not be compensated by FDMA,” said Muhammad Saleem.

On their own

When asked about the prolonged process of surveys and compensation, the journalist said teams were not given the authority or allowance to hire vehicles. The administration was not providing any transport or security to the survey teams, he added. “To travel into the militant-hit areas to survey earthquake damage is the same as committing suicide,” added Muhammad Saleem.

A political administrative official said 25 teams were assigned to survey the region and at least 3,800 houses have been assessed to date. “The remaining survey will be completed in the next week and cheques will be distributed subsequently among the affected victims,” said the official.

FDMA Assistant Director of Operations Mian Adil Zahoor told The Express Tribune surveys in all other parts of Fata was completed.

“We are only waiting on survey reports from Bajaur Agency,” said Adil. He added the federal government has yet to provide FDMA with funds to compensate locals for earthquake-related property damages, as promised by Nawaz.

Bajaur politician Shahabuddin Khan said Nawaz was sincere about his promises. “Nawaz Sharif visited Bajaur but K-P Governor Sardar Mehtab has no interest in Fata.” Shahabuddin added, “Upon the PM’s visit to the agency, Mehtab kept me away from the PM so he would not be told of the extent of damage,” said Shahabuddin.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th,  2015.