Repatriations: FDMA director, members of UNCHR, UNICEF inspect IDP camp

Bar Qamber Khel tribesmen start the slow process of returning home from Kurram Agency.

KOHAT: As internally displaced families from Khyber Agency slowly begin to make their way home, local and international officials inspect conditions at Jarma Camp, Kohat.

Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) Director General (DG) Arshad Khan, and members from UNHCR and Unicef visited Jarma Camp on Wednesday under heightened security. The camp houses internally displaced persons (IDP) from Kurram, Orakzai and Khyber agencies – the unofficial tally stands at around 60,000.

The aid organisations’ workers visited multiple tents housing IDPs and asked about their concerns regarding camp life. They also visited the food distribution point, and checked sanitary and healthcare systems.



The FDMA DG also discussed issues the displaced families were facing during the process of repatriation. He briefed the international delegation about the phase-wise repatriation plan.

The delegation maintained it was satisfied with Jarma Camp’s overall condition as well as the plans to help people with their repatriation.

Onwards to Tirah

Repatriation of the displaced Bar Qamber Khel tribesmen to Tirah Valley from Durrani Camp, Kurram Agency started on Tuesday. The process started after a series of negotiations between the Bar Qamber Khel elders, Khyber Agency Political Administration officials and security forces.

Hundreds of the displaced families have been moved to their native villages over the past two days. It is estimated over 120 vehicles made their way from Durrani camp towards Khyber Agency over the past two days.

Political administration officials, security forces and FDMA officials were present at the time of repatriation. FDMA provided transport facilities to the returning families and other organisations provided food items.

The tribesmen entered Tirah Valley through Arhanga area. The Pakistan Army set up reception camps at Haidar Kandao to receive and welcome the families returning home after nearly six months.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2013.