Over the next 33 days, more than 7,000 families are expected to return to their homes in the valley in Khyber Agency. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Over the next 33 days, more than 7,000 families are expected to return to their homes in the valley in Khyber Agency.
FDMA Director General Arshad Khan told The Express Tribune the second phase started on May 7 from Jarma Camp in Kohat and 1,343 individuals have been repatriated.
Khan said returning families were provided with Rs25,000 in cash and their travelling costs were taken care of by the authority.
Furthermore, they were provided with standardised non-food item kits, hygiene kits, vaccines for children and other child protection and nutrition services.
According to a handout, Deputy Commissioner Amjad Ali Khan visited Jarma Camp to observe the progress during the repatriation of internally displaced persons (IDP).
The commissioner gave directives for a magistrate to be deployed at the camp to monitor the process, the statement read.
“They are our guests and patriotic Pakistanis. They will be provided all possible assistance in their return home,” the commissioner was quoted saying in the handout.
Hundreds of thousands of people left 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 the FDMA.
IDPs were accommodated in Jarma Camp, Durrani Camp in Kurram Agency and Jalozai Camp in Nowshera.
The first phase of the repatriation took place in October last year, when 6,200 families were resettled in their respective areas.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2014.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ