PESHAWAR: Many families displaced from North Waziristan Agency due to the military operation against militants don’t get the government assistance, including goods and cash, either due to unavailability of computerised national identity cards or absence of male members, or presence of male members with physical disabilities, says the latest assessment.

A copy of the written multi-sector initial rapid assessment carried out from July 12 to July 16 by the provincial government with the help of international organisation is available with Dawn.

According to the document, 31 per cent of IDPs from North Waziristan are struggling to obain assistance due to unavailability of documents, including CNICs, and therefore, such people should be given necessary papers on fast track basis for their relief.“Seven per cent families headed by female, four per cent by children and five per cent older and persons with disabilities have been excluded from the relief due to the modalities laid down for the distribution. There is a need to develop a strategy to support the extremely vulnerable families, who are not yet registered but require urgent humanitarian assistance,” it said.

Govt assessment suggests review of relief distribution procedures

The document said the authorities needed to review relief distribution procedures to address access challenges to distribution points faced by children, women, old and physically-challenged persons.

The data was obtained through interviews in villages with more IDPs in Bannu district to pinpoint their concerns on healthcare, water and sanitation practices, and nourishment.

Also read: Entry counter set up to check IDPs movement

According to the document, only five per cent of the families have a source of income.

“Inadequate shelter services, overcrowding in areas of displacement, harsh weather conditions and high rental charges remain key challenges for displaced families which warranted immediate attention. Only two per cent of the Bannu-based displaced families intend to move to other parts of the province.”

The document said lack of access to information, particularly on registration process and available services and support were identified as major gaps hampering the IDPs’ relief.

It added that there was a need to strengthen humanitarian communication mechanisms to better inform families of available support/services and registration processes.

According to it, 87 per cent of displaced families are not treating water at home, while 40 per cent of them are not using latrine facilities and practice open defecation.

“Bannu, one of the 25 districts of the province, has infrastructure to support its 1.2 million population, so it failed to absorb the huge influx of IDPs. The schools and other public buildings where they lived too lack basic amenities. Alternate arrangements are necessary to house the displaced people when schools reopen.”

The document said currently, 55 per cent of the families resided within the host community without rent, 24 per cent in schools and eight per cent in other government buildings, while two per cent families lived without shelter, while one per cent were in a makeshift houses.According to officials associated with the findings of the report, the government should use the locally available material to shelter IDPs first to ensure optimal use of the funding and second to help boost local economy.

Also, the community-based hygiene promotion using multiple communication channels could help contain preventable diseases.

The officials said provision of toilets and non-food items to displaced people and putting in place a mechanism for disposal of solid waste management were others areas, where relief bodies had been working.

They said there seemed to be a slight hygiene awareness in the target community as it 79 per cent of its members were seen practicing hand washing with soap before eating and 49 per cent after defecation, whereas only five per cent of mothers washed hands with soap before breastfeeding.

Published in Dawn, Aug 12th, 2014