ReliefWeb

HIGHLIGHTS

• Insecurity in North Waziristan Agency has forced thousands to move to safer places in the neighbouring districts.

• Government and aid agencies work to complete preparedness plans ahead of the monsoon season; low stocks level remain a challenge.

• Improved access to the northern Balochistan allows timely humanitarian activities.

FIGURES

Registered IDPs in KP and FATA (UNHCR) 930,000
Expected returnees to FATA in 2014 (FDMA) 270,000
Returnees to FATA in 2014 (UNHCR) 50,500
Registered Afghan refugees (UNHCR) 1.6 million
Food insecure (National Nutrition Survey 2011)

Insecurity in NWA causes displacements

Thousands reportedly move to safer areas in neighbouring districts
Security related developments in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) forced thousands of people to leave their homes and move to Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan and Kohat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Bakkar and Fatehjang in Punjab, and other parts of the country since May 22,2014. The displaced families were not formally registered, as the Government has not notified their areas of origin as conflict-affected. This is usually a pre-requisite for registration as displaced, and the subsequent access to humanitarian assistance. So far, the authorities have counted over 60,000 people, who have left NWA. The latest media reports quoting official figures has put the toll at more than 70,000, with people continuing to move. Nearly 80 per cent of the displaced are women and children, which is a concern. Informal evaluation conducted by partners identified shelter, access to health facilities, and food as the priority needs.

This is the third such displacement prompted by insecurity this year. In January and March 2014, an estimated 22,000 and 23,000 people respectively were displaced from NWA as a result of pending security operations. The affected population subsequently returned to their areas of origin following an improvement in the security situation.

The FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) has established a camp in Bakakhel, Bannu District with a capacity to house 100,000 people. FDMA has dispatched tents, food and non-food items to the camp. The displaced people, however, have shown a preference to stay in rented accommodations or lodge with friends and relatives following threats from non-state armed actors against staying in the Government established camps. The humanitarian community is monitoring the situation and stands ready to assist. The displacements from NWA allowed WHO to vaccinate approximately 2,500 children against polio and other diseases. Some of these children had never been vaccinated due to a ban on polio vaccination in NWA.