ISLAMABAD: The food security situation of temporary displaced persons (TDPs) who have returned to their homes in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) has improved significantly since 2014, according to a United Nations (UN) report released on Monday.

The report titled ‘Food Security and Livelihoods Assessment of Returned Households Residing in Fata’ was launched by the World Food Programme (WFP) under the leadership of the Fata secretariat.

It indicated a consistent and significant drop in the total food insecurity rate in the region between 2014 and 2017.

The follow-up report to the 2014 “Returning Home” assessment provided updated evidence regarding food security, livelihoods and the market situation in all seven Fata agencies — Bajaur, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, Orakzai and North and South Waziristan.

From 44pc in 2014, only 24pc TDPs food insecure in 2017

It said that while 44 per cent of the population was defined as food insecure in 2014, only 24pc was found to be in the same situation in 2017 where they did not have access to or could not afford enough food for their daily dietary and nutritional needs.

At the same time, while 5pc of the people were considered severely food insecure in 2014 — having an inadequate diet in terms of quality and quantity — now only 1pc were in such a serious situation.

The percentage of people who were moderately food insecure dropped from 39pc to 23pc over the three-year period, said the WFP.

The improvement was particularly dramatic among female-headed households, with those defined as severely food insecure decreasing from 19pc to zero per cent, and moderately food insecure households decreasing from 55pc to 15pc.

Explaining the reasons for improvement [in food security], the report said families faced fewer shocks ranging from natural disasters to illness among people and livestock and they had access to better housing, improved water and sanitation and increased security over the years.

Launching the report, WFP country director Finbarr Curran said the findings were an evidence of the positive impact of the humanitarian and recovery support extended to displaced and returning families in the region, which was provided under the leadership and vision of the Fata secretariat.

Speaking on the occasion, Fata’s additional chief secretary Dr Fida Mohammad Wazir said, “I thank the WFP and other collaborating organisations for the commission and support to this significant study”.

Since 2014, he said, there was a positive improvement in security and with the government’s continued efforts, some 250,000 displaced families returned, while some 50,000 families were still living away from their original homes. Such a large-scale return affects markets, the provision of basic services, livelihoods and food security, he added.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2017