Humanitarian needs in FATA

Parties in FATA must protect vulnerable populations, assist humanitarian efforts and promote respect for laws.

The elections were a significant step forward for democracy, which has made important inroads into Fata. For the first time, political parties were allowed to campaign in the tribal areas. The Election Commission of Pakistan and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government deserve credit for facilitating voting by the people displaced from Fata.

However, regrettably, the humanitarian challenge of displacement in the area shows no signs of abatement. The most recent wave of displacements has been triggered by an escalation of hostilities between rival armed groups and government security operations in Tirah Valley, Khyber Agency. Officials estimate that in total, up to 120,000 people (20,000 families) may leave the area temporarily for up to six months due to security concerns.

The Tirah Valley displacements have deepened the humanitarian emergency in north-western Pakistan. Already, more than one million people are forced to live outside their home areas. There are also 1.64 million registered refugees being hosted in Pakistan — the majority in K-P and Fata — as well as an unknown number of unregistered refugees.

The K-P government and humanitarian partners continue to register the displaced families in three locations: New Durrani camp in Kurram Agency, Jerma in Kohat District and Jalozai camp in Nowshera District. At the request of provincial authorities in K-P, a registration point was established outside the Peshawar Valley in Jerma, Kohat, in an effort to ameliorate security risks associated with thousands more arriving in the Peshawar Valley. The provincial government has assured me that no person in need in the Peshawar Valley will be forced to return to Fata and that humanitarian assistance can be given to the most vulnerable people regardless of their location.

The authorities are making remarkable efforts to provide assistance to the temporarily displaced, as well as to facilitate returns to their home areas, when conditions allow. I have visited the Jalozai camp several times and witnessed the dedication and commitment of the K-P authorities, local and international NGOs and UN agencies which implement relief activities in the camps, providing food, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene support, health care and education services. However, more than 90 per cent of the displaced choose to live in off-camp locations, often with relatives.

The UN Emergency Response Fund in Pakistan is allocating $1 million in aid and more funds are expected from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund to address other basic needs. This fund has already allocated $154 million to Pakistan since 2007. In total, donors have provided over $1 billion to support humanitarian activities in K-P and Fata since 2008.

Despite these joint efforts, additional resources will be needed. We estimate that from now until the end of the year, some $140 million are required to meet the most pressing humanitarian needs of the displaced in K-P and Fata. A concerted campaign will be necessary to avoid widespread human suffering among the displaced.

In April, humanitarian partners conducted a joint assessment of the needs of the people displaced from Tirah Valley. Food was the top need cited by 63 per cent of those assessed, 18 per cent listed temporary shelter as their top priority and six per cent felt livelihoods support and job opportunities were paramount.

Grave concerns also exist for the protection of civilians; many families have trekked for days in treacherous conditions to reach relative safety and to receive relief assistance.

All parties in the area must ensure the protection of vulnerable populations, preserve humanitarian space and promote respect for international law.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2013.