INTER-CLUSTER NEEDS VERIFICATION TO ORAKZA AGENCY 9-12 March 2017

Transcription

1 INTER-CLUSTER NEEDS VERIFICATION TO ORAKZA AGENCY 9-12 March 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Key Findings; In order to ensure that humanitarian interventions meet the immediate needs of the returnees, an intercluster needs varication mission was undertaken to Orakzai from 9-12 th March 2017 to gather pertinent and evidenced based data to facilitate PHPF resource allocation for 2017 according to the needs of the people. The needs assessment was based on key informant interviews, focus group discussions with key community representatives, meetings with the heads of line departments, FDMA, civil-military authorities. 1

2 During the meetings with the government officials which included staff from line departments and key community representatives, it was noted that humanitarian actors support is needed in all the sectors with the major being reconstruction of shelters, rehabilitation of water sources, solarization of the wash schemes, revival of agriculture and livelihood activities, provision of seeds and inputs, establishment of vocational skills centers, pre-fab structure for health and schools facilities. Phase-1 Return: Phase-1 return started on 21 April 2016 from Jerma embarkation point Kohat and continued till 9, May In this phase of return around 1,820 families received Voluntary Return Forms (VRFs) to return to Orakzai Agency. Phase-2 Return: In Phase-2 return which was started on 21 July 2016 from Jerma embarkation point Kohat and continued till 5 August, In this phase of return 5,798 families received VRF and facilitated to return to their areas of origin. Major caseload of the returnees in this phase were belonged to Ali Khel tribe which is 5,063 families. Phase-3 Return: In Phase-3 return which was started on 2 November 2016 from Jerma embarkation point Kohat and continued till 18 November, In this phase of return around 6,672 families got VRFs to return. In this phase of return major caseload of returnees were belonged to Mamozai tribe which is 5,393 registered families. Last return which was part of Phase-3 started on 26 Dec, 2016 and winded up on 2 January, In this phase of return a total 288 families were issued VRFs and major caseload of returnees belonged to Mamozai tribe i.e. 132 families. Though FDMA has completed the return process for Orakzai Agency in January, 2017 still physical returns of around 5,393 registered and 9,000 un-registered families have not materialized to Mamozai area and similarly families returned to Ali Khel, Aakhel and Rabia Khel areas have also returned back to the displacement areas due to lack of basic services and harsh weather conditions. The reasons for this secondary displacement is the lack of services in the areas of return, access constraints for public transport on the Shaho-Ghaljo road, dilapdated shelters and basic facilities. It is important to mention that some of the well-off families have two houses in the winter zone of Upper Orakzai and summer zone of KP. During winter they come down to districts in KP while in summer they go back to their houses in upper areas of the agency. Challenges: The mission could not visit the areas of Mamozai as the security personnel did not allow. Physical return to Mamozai tribe (5,393 registered and 9,000 un-registered families) is still pending due to cold weather conditions, lack of basic social services and damages to shelters. During focus group discussions with the returnees of Ali Khel, Mamozai and Aakhel tribe, it was stated that the majority of the returnee families are still residing in Hangu, Peshawar, Kohat and other districts of KP, due to the aforementioned factors. Families interviewed indicated that it will not be possible to use tents in the area and the most viable option for them is to start reconstruction of their houses once they receive the government housing compensation. According to the government approximately 80% of Ali Khel tribe have physically returned but as witnessed by the mission only 5% of the returnees were present in the areas of return. Extensive shelter damages observed in all the return areas and the rehabilitation will require the support from both humanitarian and government especially in the rehabilitation of water sources, solarization of the wash schemes, and revival of agriculture and livelihood activities, provision of seeds and inputs, establishment of vocational skills centers, pre-fab structure for health and schools facilities. 2

3 According to Agency Surgeon, only two out of 16 health facilities (Kool, Mullah Khel area and Badan, Dabori Ali Khel) are functional while the rest are damaged and non-functional. As per representative of Education department there are 113 boys and 60 girl schools in Upper Orakzai and all the buildings are damaged and closed due to non-availability of children. During visit to the villages of Ali Khel tribe areas of Dabori, Baghnok, Zanka Khel, the mission observed the presence of very few families due to the harsh cold weather, accessibility on security check posts, damaged houses and damaged infrastructure of Dabori market. Recommended Priority Actions: Initiation of youth projects which will safeguard them from indulging into any negative activities as such the CoRe business support program would be advisable. Vocational skills training for women and youth, cash for Work for the rehabilitation of water/ irrigation channels, streets and link roads. Creation of livelihood opportunities through CFW, women cash grants, business support and community based infrastructure schemes also CFW for debris removal. Set up temporary learning centres with furnishing and provision of schooling resources. Rehabilitation of schools that have standing structures and equip them with facilities. Equip educational facilities with WASH facilities and roads/pathways for ease of access to the facility. Provision of livelihood support to create short term employment through conditional assistance of food for work and food for training. Provision of seeds, inputs, land preparation and leveling for the revival and restoration of agriculture activities. The human resource inventory of the agency is showing a lack of trained female health staff, due to which there are deficient services, therefore it is imperative to fill the gap in essential human resource such as lady doctors, LHVs, midwives etc. Support for the construction of pre-fab structures of the health facilities which also should include equipment, furniture and medicines. Due to weather condition and type of construction provision of tents or transitional shelter would not be suitable therefore conditional cash assistance or shelter kit (including roofing kit and door, window) will be desirable for fully damaged houses and tool kit for partially damaged houses. Repair and reconstruction of water sources, WASH schemes, water supply pipelines for gravity schemes and solarization of the communal tube wells. Solarization/electrification for existing motorized water supply facilities. Provision of sanitation kits and cash for work for construction of toilets at HH level with guidance on sludge and waste water management. Rehabilitation of school/health facilities WASH structures for existing structures. Temporary structures for transitional educational/health facilities. Provision of standard Cluster Hygiene kits for areas with no access to markets and recent returns Background: Since November 2009, around 35,823 registered families got displaced from Orakzai Agency, mainly from A Khel, Ali Khel, Mamozai, Rabia Khel, Dardar Mamozai, Feroz Khel, Mishti, Utman Khel, Sheikhan, Stori Khel and Bezoti tribes due to military operation against the non-state armed actors. Majority of the displaced families took refuge in the adjoining districts of Kohat and Hangu while vulnerable families were accommodated in Togh Sarai camp at Hangu district. Since April 2010 till the end of 30 December, 2016, 3

4 government has facilitated the return of around 32,929 1 families to the de notified areas of Orakzai Agency. In the last phase 3 return, it was announced that all the leftover IDPs will be facilitated to return to their areas of origin. However, around 2,894 families did not sign Voluntary Return Forms (VRFs). On 9 January, 2017 a meeting was held at FDMA wherein it was informed that all those families who did not sign their VRFs within stipulated timeframe of 4 weeks will be de registered from the IDPs data base and will no longer be considered as IDPs. The families from Mamozai tribe have been in displacement since November, 2009 and at the time of the mission, no physical return had taken place. Currently, 5,393 registered and 9,000 un-registered families remain displaced from their areas of origin. Their primary source of income was agriculture and livestock husbandry; market other facilities have not been restored including electricity. The immediate key priority for these tribesmen is the provision of support on shelter, which they noted will be the first to be done upon return. The construction of roads and water supply schemes was another crucial priority followed by provision of income generating activities particularly in farming and livestock. The need for vocational training institutes for women i.e. embroidery was also pointed out while the idea of an interest free microfinance scheme was appreciated. An official from FDMA pointed out that previously there was USAID funded microfinance venture initiated by Khushali Bank, but with limited number of beneficiaries and the amount provided to an individual as loan was PKR 25,000. The Aa Khel tribe was displaced in November, 2009 and return took place in May The areas of Aa Khel, Ali Khel and Rabia Khel has been cleared but only split families have returned back and the largest caseload of families yet to return to their areas of origin. Out of around 4 thousand families, around 1,155 were registered and rest were unregistered families. In Aa Khel areas SRSP had provided temporary shelter for 300 families under Pakistan Humanitarian Pool Funding. Around 70% of the affected people had shelter while 30% were still in need of shelter support. Moreover, mostly schools were damaged while rest of the infrastructure was in good shape. In one village, though there was one boys and one girl school, the boy s school was completely damaged and the girl s school was in need of repairs. In village Sirka Khel, the need for having communal water tanks was mentioned while in Waji Khan, the demand for street pavements was put forward. Furthermore, in village Sahibzadgan, the need for communal water tanks and communal drainage schemes noted. Previously, there were shops which were all destroyed and currently no operational markets. In order to kick start economic growth, Islamic microfinance initiatives were considered helpful. While there was intermittent electric supply, installation of solarized electric gadgets can be a viable option to supply electricity. Ali Khel tribe was also displaced in 2009 and return took place in July-August Currently, 5,798 registered families have returned to Ali Khel areas in Dabori. Due to conflict, all agricultural activity has been ceased and nearly all of the houses have been damaged. Dabori, which is the main market was also destroyed as such no market facilities. The area is rain fed and cannabis cultivation remains a source of revenue for most of the families. In Dabori, there are schools, out of which only 2 are boy s high schools and for girls there is no education available after middle school, however all of these schools got extensive damages during the conflict. While in the village of Tajika, there are no schools. Most of the houses are having two-three storey structures and more than 70% are completely damaged; in overall all the infrastructure in bad state. The key areas of focus are shelter, access to water and WASH facilities, land rehabilitation, revival of agricultural activities, roads, schools, and health facilities. 95% of the returnees have left the area because of lack of facilities. Another attempt to return will be made in April- May once conditions improve. 1 FDMA Working paper for de-registration 14 December,

5 Cluster findings/observation: Community Restoration: Though the road from Shawokhel to Dabori remains in a dilapidated situation, it is still being used by the Orakzai people. Moreover, access roads to most of the villages are dirt tracks/unpaved roads while in some villages even dirt tracks are not available and hence people have to travel by foot. All main markets are either fully or partially damaged and as such cannot be used and this compounds the already existing challenges as people have to get daily goods from afar. Most of the infrastructure from shops and markets, schools, link roads, irrigation channels, electricity and WASH facilities remain damaged without any viable livelihood options for the returnees. Business support, cash for work, vocation trainings, medium scale and community based infrastructure are highly recommended as per advice by local communities/political administration and Pak Army. Households earning from the lucrative crop of cannabis has drastically reduced and the lands are turned barren due to prolonged displacement. Key findings and observation: In Upper Orakzai, cannabis was the main source of livelihood, however alternative livelihood opportunities need to be developed to enable returnees earn a decent leaving. Markets remain closed and require rehabilitation. Provision of proper sanitation facilities and removal of debris should be a priority and the same can be done through cash for work. Lack of non-farm livelihood opportunities have been observed and can be facilitated through CoRe s livelihood activities. Vocational skills training/grants for women and youth, Cash for Work for the rehabilitation of water/ irrigation channels, streets and link roads a priority to enable full restoration and reintegration of returnees. Initiation of youth projects which will safeguard them from indulging into any negative activities as such the CoRe business support program would be advisable. Provision of a common community centers where community members can engage and discuss issues relating to their community. Recommendations: Debris removal and cleaning of the villages, social services facilities and markets rehabilitation. Creation of livelihood opportunities through CFW, women cash grants, business support and community based infrastructure schemes. Rehabilitation of street pavements and link roads through cash for work activities. Awareness of community members engaged in community restoration activities about peace, social cohesion, protection through community based activities as community has shown their keen interest in community based activities. Repair and reconstruction of water sources, WASH schemes, water supply pipelines for gravity schemes and solarization of the communal tube wells. Vocational skills training for women and youth, Cash for Work for the rehabilitation of water/ irrigation channels, streets and link roads. Provision of youth livelihood training/support to create short term employment through small business grants, cash for work and women cash grants. The overall objective is to safeguard the interest of the youth by engaging them in meaning activities. Solar systems including solar pumps, street lightening and communal grid can be implemented for quick recovery and rehabilitation. Female members of the community can be engaged in vocational skills training in addition to the provision of cash grants to support their livelihoods restoration. 5

6 Education Cluster: Around 80-90% of the education facilities got damaged. Most of the buildings observed had super structures in place but major structural rehabilitation is required. Agency Education Officer informed the mission that a total of 493 schools available in Orakzai Agency. In Upper Orakzai, 113 are boy s primary schools and 60 are girl s schools. Teachers will be made available once the schools are functional. These areas include tribes of Mullakhel, Aakhel, Ali Khel, and Rabia Khel which includes proximities of Ghiljo, Dabori, Khanki, Zanka Khel, Badan, Gawak, Haji Khan and Baghnak. Areas with tribal presence of Mamozai have not yet been opened for return and were not physically accessible at the time of the field visit. Key Findings and Observations: 95% of the schools are damaged and none functional. Super structures of some schools remain but requires major rehabilitation. Supporting resources for the schools not available Physical access is possible but very few have physically returned due to lack of facilities. Some areas lack paths to school. Some temporary learning centers in Baghnak were established by woman s concerns organization (WCO) but collapsed due to lack of care and maintenance. According to AEO education, teachers are available but none of the schools are functional. It is also due to lack of community infrastructure and low physical presence of returnees. Recommendations: Set up temporary learning centres with furnishing and provision of schooling resources Another option is to rehabilitate schools with remaining structures and equip them with facilities Provide relevant trainings to teachers Equip educational facilities with WASH facilities and roads/pathways for ease of access to the facility. Food Security: The overall trend in livelihood and food security reflects a sever situation in Mamozai, Ali Khel and Aa Khel areas. During the long displacement of almost 8 years, the agricultural land was not cultivated and turned barren. Similarly, livestock was either sold on nominal prices or lost during the conflict. Lucrative crop Cannabis, livestock rearing and foreign remittances were the major sources of income for these families, however, these were badly affected during the conflict and displacement. Government has de-registered the families of Mamozai tribe but actually they have not physically returned to their areas of origin. Their six month post return food assistance will be stopped after the month of April, 2017 which they are currently receiving inside Kohat district. It will increase their vulnerabilities both in the areas of displacement as well as in the areas of return in case they return in the coming months. Constraints which hindered the agriculture recovery included damages to irrigation infrastructure, land preparation and financial constraints. A significant reduction in ownership of small and large ruminants was also reported. Key findings and observation: Field visit was conducted to the area of Ali Khel, Aakhel and Mullah Khel, only 5% of the returnees were present in their area of origin specifically in Ali Khel and Aakhel. There is no physical access to the areas of Mamozai tribe and not a single family have returned thus far. Irrigation system is non-functional because of displacement and agriculture land is fallow. Few cattle of the returnee families were grazing in the fields, however no agriculture activity was seen in the return villages Since 2009, no farming activity was conducted and the fertile lands which they were using for cannabis crop were full of wild shrubs. All the main markets of Aakhel and Ali Khel are destroyed and closed for economic activities. 6

7 The Political Administration/agriculture department has no seeds stocks for the crops including wheat, maize etc. In the areas of return the economic activities came to a halt as the markets were non-functional and damaged. Recommendations: Land preparation, levelling and agriculture tools and provision of seeds are required for the revival and continuation of agriculture activities. Other intervention such as operationalization of the local markets through cleaning of irrigation channels, preparing fields, raising poultry for eggs and meat, restocking households with goats and possibly cattle, providing good quality seeds and fertilizers for the upcoming planting season e=be considered after the expiry of the 6 months food support including provision of agriculture tools. Livelihoods of the vast majority of the FATA population is agriculture and livestock based. Helping them to get start agriculture production to minimize their dependence on food aid. Provision of livelihood support to create short term employment through conditional assistance of food for work and food for training. Health Cluster: The health facilities were also affected during the conflict and around 29 health facilities are reported damaged, out of which 13 are fully damaged while 16 are partially damaged in Orakzai Agency. In Upper Orakzai only 3 out of 16 health facilities are functional and provide services to the returnee population. Agency health department has appreciated the PHPF support for the construction of pre-fab structures of the health facilities which also included equipment, furniture and medicines support for three months. Key findings and observation: Health department at Agency level has provided two ambulances for the emergency and complicated cases in Upper Orakzai. According to the health department, they are having human resources including relevant paramedic staff to cater the need of the returnee families. Agency Surgeon indicated that they need reconstruction of the damaged health facilities at the earliest and provision of pre-fab structures for the damaged health facilities is the best alternate, while the human resource will be provided by the agency surgeon office. During previous assessments of the FATA returnees (August 2016) and Inter-cluster assessment mission dated January, 2017 to Orakzai Agency, it had been observed that pregnant women faced challenges due to lack of gynecologists and lady doctors in the agency and only accessed facilities in Hangu, Kohat or Peshawar. As such reproductive health and mother and child health interventions and services should be provided at the agency level to reduce excess morbidity and mortality. Recommendation: The human resource inventory of the agency is showing a lack of trained female health staff, due to which there are deficient services, therefore it is imperative to fill the gap in essential human resource such as lady doctors, LHVs, midwives etc. Support for the construction of pre-fab structures of the health facilities which also should include equipment, furniture and medicines. Shelter/NFIS: 7

8 Though government supports the returning families with cash compensation of PKR 160,000 and PKR 400,000 for partially and completely damaged houses by FATA Secretariat, the compensation requires considerable time before actual disbursement. On the other hand, the returnee families require immediate shelter assistance from the government as well as humanitarian community in their areas of origin against the harsh weather conditions. It was noted that majority of the people had been displaced for a second time from Ali Khel and Aakhel areas due to harsh winter conditions. Similarly return did not take place to Mamozai area in the upper part and it was evident from the various meetings that provision of shelter support is a priority. Key findings and observation: It was noted that houses were made of stone and mud masonry and most of these houses were damaged due to lack of proper repair and maintenance. Houses, consisting mostly of mud and stones, range from single storey to triple storey. Double storey houses are predominant in the affected areas of AaKhel and Ali Khel. Housing typology and removal of debris of the destroyed houses would further add to the complexities to the reconstruction and repair efforts. More than 60 % houses are fully damaged while the rest are partially damaged but those also require considerable resource to repair and make those habitable. The collapsed houses were full of mud and stones debris and the salvage materials were also not in a bad condition. Mamozai area which is still not open for return and where most of the houses are completely damaged, IDPs will not be able to return unless temporary shelters are provided to them. Recommendation: Due to weather condition and type of construction provision of tents or transitional shelter would not be suitable therefore conditional cash assistance or shelter kit (including roofing kit and door, window) will be desirable for fully damaged houses and tool kit for partially damaged houses. WASH: In 2016, 70-80% returns were completed but due to lack of life supporting infrastructure and harsh weather conditions, only 5% physical presence remains % people do not have access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. 5-10% water supply infrastructure is in shape of tube wells, dug wells, hand pumps and gravity fed pipes connected to open springs exist but it s damaged. A significant number of the people rely on open sources with probability of contamination. Community seemed satisfied with the quality of the ground and spring water. Physical parameters of the water were also not objectionable. Water collection and storage including travel distances and geographical terrains seemed to be a major challenge. Aforementioned issues were mainly observed in areas with tribal presence of Mullakhel, Akhel, Alikhel, and Rabiakhel which includes proximities of Ghiljo, Dabori, Khanki, Zanka Khel, Badan, Gawak, Haji Khan and Baghnak. Areas with tribal presence of Momozai have not yet been opened for return and were not physically accessible at this point. However, high needs in terms of WASH were recorded in the area through Key informant Interviews. Key Findings and Observations A vast majority of the population rely on open springs and ponds for consumption of drinking water. The water quality is acceptable but the sources are not protected. Additionally springs with pipelines are damaged and people have to walk to the source to collect water. 8

9 Some springs that are used for drinking water purposes are seasonal and do not function during winters. Consumers of such facilities have to switch to alternate of buying water through water cart vendors. Water quality of ground sources and open sources seemed okay physically. Community was satisfied with the quality. However, open water sources pose a risk of contamination at source % (through random observation and community feedback) of population do not have access to safe drinking water % (through random observation and community feedback) of the educational facilities and Health centres have been completely damaged and lack access to WASH facilities. Some tube wells are also installed but are dysfunctional due to unavailability of electricity. Damages to the structures are variable in terms of partial and full damages. Water consumption per person per day is lower than sphere standards due to lack of facilities and difficult access. Conventional latrines (simple pit with mud structures) are mainly used by women at household level for excreta disposal while men practice open defecation. Subsequently, these structures lack proper drainage, sludge and waste water management. Due to lack of vector control measures and unmanaged waste water at HH and communal level, there is a risk of vector borne diseases. (observation) Sanitation facilities in educational and health facilities are non-existent due to major damages to super structures. Only a small percentage of health and educational facilities exist and are functional It is assumed that with difficult access to markets and scarce resources, attention to personal, domestic and environmental hygiene is poor. Water storage and safety at HH level is also questionable due lack of resources and information on suitable practices. Recommendations: Quick fixes to already existing WASH infrastructure. Open springs needs to be protected along with pipeline installation/rehabilitation and communal storage/collection points According to local information, water table during rainfall and in water catchment areas is from meters whereas during dry seasons and at a greater distance from water catchments, it can go to meters. Rehabilitation of existing dug wells/boreholes through repair/installation of hand pumps where applicable. Solarization/electrification for existing motorized water supply facilities Provision of sanitation kits and cash for work for construction of toilets at HH level with guidance on sludge and waste water management Rehabilitation of school/health facilities WASH structures for existing structures. Temporary structures for transitional educational/health facilities. Standard Cluster Hygiene kits for areas with no access to markets and recent returns Key hygiene messages disseminated through radio, pictorials, sessions and other relevant channels. Mission Members: 1. Kamran Afridi, Food Security Cluster 2. Ammar Orakzai, WASH Cluster 3. Abullah Khan, CoRe Cluster 4. Shukriya Syed, CoRe Cluster 5. Shaista Attaullah, OCHA 6. Abdul Jabbar, OCHA 9