Second phase: Repatriation of Tirah Valley IDPs begins May 7, says PA

Authorities will provide Rs25,000, six months rations and cover travelling costs.

PESHAWAR:

The second phase of repatriation of displaced residents of Tirah Valley will begin on May 7 on a voluntarily basis, said Khyber Agency Political Agent Shahab Ali Shah.

Speaking to the media at the press club on Monday, Shah added 7,700 families will be assisted in returning home.

Hundreds of thousands of people fled Khyber Agency’s Tirah Valley in March 2013 due to a turf war between militant groups and a subsequent military operation, leaving an estimated 13,900 families homeless, according to Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA). The internally displaced persons (IDP) were accommodated in camps at Jerma, Kohat, Durrani, Kurram Agency and Jalozai. The first phase of the repatriation took place in October last year, when 6,200 families were resettled in their respective areas.

“There is now complete peace in Tirah Valley. More security forces have been deployed and additional check posts have been set up to prevent any clash in the area,” said Shah.

FDMA Director General Arshad Khan also spoke at the news conference and said each family will be provided the same financial assistance as the IDPs of Mohmand and Bajaur agencies, which included Rs25,000 in cash, rations for up to six months and travelling costs.

A total of 80 government and non-government projects have been initiated for reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the agency, including those addressing health and education, the political administration official said.

Arshad said authorities will help residents reconstruct their homes, majority of which were destroyed in the fighting, among other infrastructure. International organisations are helping FDMA with completing the damage assessment report, which they need before reconastruction can begin, he added.

“342,000 people have been displaced due to conflicts in Fata from 2008,” said the director general, adding, “out of which 150,000 are still displaced and reside in various camps.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2014.