Relief Distribution Report Swabi, NWFP, Pakistan. Relief Distribution Report. Swabi NWFP, Pakistan Global Peace Pioneers July 08-12, 2009

Transcription

1 Relief Distribution Report Swabi NWFP, Pakistan Global Peace Pioneers July 08-12, 2009 Global Peace Pioneers NGO House # 351, Street # 15 G 10/2, Islamabad, Pakistan. Ph # peacepioneers@yahoo.com 1

2 CONTENTS Page # Summary 03 Location 03 Demography 03 Security Situation in Swabi 04 Background 04 An Update on the Situation 05 Distribution Process 06 Conclusion 07 Recommendations 07 a. Food and Basic Non-Food Items 07 b. Shelter 08 c. Livelihoods 08 d. Education 09 e. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) And Health 09 f. Trauma 09 Beneficiaries Information 10 Means of Identification of IDPs 11 Results 11 Detail of relief Items 12 Outcomes 13 Impact 13 Evaluation Methods 14 Memorials 15 Photographs 18 2

3 SUMMARY The Pakistan Army started its operation in Malakand Division against extremists in early May The ongoing violence compelled the local inhabitants of those areas to leave their homes and migrate to safer places in Swabi, Mansehra, Mardan, Peshawar (Districts of NWFP) in search of peace and protection for their families. Women, Children, disabled, and elderly are enduring the agonizing task of moving on foot due to lack of transportation. Thousands of families are scattered, many have found refuge with their hosts, some were accommodated in schools while others rented houses in Swabi and Mardan. Still hundreds of families are living under the open sky. GPP is playing a significant role to assist IDPs in registration process since the start of the incident and distributed relief items to vulnerable displaced families living in schools and host communities who are neglected. LOCATION GPP distributed the relief items (includes Food items, hygiene kits and Student studying kits) among 1000 Internally Displaced Families in three Union Councils of District Swabi, North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. GPP with the close cooperation of Provincial Government and Social Welfare Department identified these Union Councils and selected the families those were registered by UNHCR and Social Welfare Department as out of Camp IDPS. The following Union Councils of District Swabi were selected for relief Distribution: 1- Marghuz 2- Kallabutt 3- Thand Koi The geographical coordinates are 34 7' 12" North, 72 28' 20" East. It is a big District with beautiful mountains and the mighty Indus River running through it, irrigating its fertile land. Hence, most of the people are associated with agriculture. Wheat, Sugar Cane, Tobacco and Maize are main agricultural products especially the Tobacco is of very good quality. Apart from agriculture, Swabi is also rich with mineral resources and its white marble is very popular throughout the country. Tehsils of District Swabi are: Swabi Chota Lahore. 3

4 DEMOGRAPHY Area of District is 1,543 sq kms and has about population 1, 026,804 as per census survey report conducted in 1998 by the government and about 17.5 percent of total population living in urban areas. The density of population in Swabi is persons per sq km and there is 2.96 percent annual growth rate. The literacy rate in Swabi District is 36 percent. People residing in Swabi belong to different clans includes Yousafzai, Razars/Rajars, and Utman clans. Yousafzai clan is in majority. SECURITY SITUATION IN SWABI Overall security conditions of District Swabi have remained stable in the past despite being situated in NWFP province which is a security-risk province of Pakistan. A few international NGOs had been working in the district even before the IDP crisis. NGOs including UN agencies have demonstrated a commitment to work for the recovery and rehabilitation of IDPs. The communication systems such as roads, telephones, electronic media are well in place and fully functional throughout the district. The organizations which are carrying out relief operations in the district have so far not faced any incidents of terrorism or plundering. BACKGROUND In the end of April 2009, fighting in Dir Lower, Buner and Swat Districts of NWFP and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) between Pakistan army and militants resulted in the large displacement of the population of that area migrated to nearby safe places of Swabi and Mardan. From April- June 2009, approximately 3.5 million IDPs fled their homes due to armed conflict in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), including the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). More than 90% of these displaced people are living with their relatives/friends (also known as host families) and schools were also being used as shelter in Swabi and Mardan. As of the end of April 2009, the increased fighting in southern Malakand Division 1 has led to a further displacement of 1,189,482 people. According to the latest registration information available as of June 19, 2009, the number of people displaced by the conflict since April, 2009 is now 2,182,503 (of whom 287,087 are in one of the 22 camps and 1,895,476 with host families and schools). Prior to the deteriorated situation at the end of April, the humanitarian community had been providing protection and assistance to approximately 550,000 IDPs, the majority of whom were accommodated with host families. The 1 Malakand Division was form from princely states of Chitral, Dir and Swat. Malakand Division included the districts of Chitral, Dir, Swat and Malakand. 4

5 scale of the new displacement demands a more robust humanitarian response from the Government of Pakistan, NGOs and INGOs. AN UPDATE ON THE SITUATION The latest Military operation in District Dir Lower, Buner and Swat has displaced around 3.5 million people. Heavy shelling, bombardment and persistent cross-fire have compelled innocent people to flee their villages. The majority of the displaced are now living in schools, with host communities or in rented houses, while others reside in camps. As the military operations continued, there is a general feeling of despondency, uncertainty and confusion all over the NWFP. People are under constant mental agony since the operations had started. People are frustrated with the bleak situation. People in the conflict hit areas not only lost their family members, relatives etc but their houses have also been destroyed during the operations. Women, Children, disabled and elderly are suffered long distance travel without transport. Thousands of women and children are waiting for their registration and protection in Swabi near registration camps and schools. Due to critical security situation women and children are in trauma and psychiatric conditions. An effective strategy should be implemented to provide safe and secure settlement with hygiene, drinking water and health facilities. Thousands of families are scattered and many of them are with their host and rented houses in Swabi and Mardan, Still hundreds of families are placed without protection/shelter and they are living in the open sky. About 6,000 pregnant women among the displaced persons from Swat are living in the camps at Swabi and Mardan. GPP team informs that there is a need for psycho-social support, particularly for young children who lost their parents during the displacement. Mixed reactions are felt by the IDPs based on the government's promise and uncertainty continues to loom as the military operation extended into Waziristan. As of from July GPP have distributed relief commodities to 1000 families, however significant needs still remain and could further increase as the military conflict appears to be expanding to other areas. 5

6 DISTRIBUTION PROCESS In view of this major concurrent IDP crisis in NWFP, it was imperative to develop a system for distribution of food items, hygiene kits and student studying kits. All IDPs are not living in camps rather about 80% are living in schools and with the local host, GPP team collected, compiled and analyzed as much information as possible to identify gaps in services and needs in respect to the provision of quality food services. The assessment tools consisted essentially of open-ended questions regarding the facility information, access indicators, physical infrastructure, staffing positions, and supplies, reporting, and the effect of population movements regarding food items, hygiene kits and student studying kits. For the sake of convenience and effective distribution of relief commodities GPP has registered 1000 families; Those 1000 included widows, orphans, elderly people and disabled people. The Poor of the poorest and most vulnerable were on the priority while identifying the direct beneficiaries. GPP issued them white coupons for relief items in coordination with District and local council level offices of Ministry of Social Welfare and with the participation of local administration like Nazim and Naib Nazim and local community members. The date and time of distribution and distribution points were announced through mosques and through voluntaries from the community. When they gather on registration points on given time & date, they had to present the coupon issued by GPP for each distribution and yellow registration slip issued by UNHCR to IDPs. This process eliminated duplication of any sort and helped target the genuine IDPs. The whole process was transparent. The Media, Government Official, Social Welfare Personnel, Inspector of Food Commodities and local leaders were invited during the distribution. Keeping in view the current situation the IDPs and Government officials requested to continue the distribution process at least end of December It is observed that most of the INGOs have planned their Relief activities for the whole year in order to assist the basic needs of IDPS. 6

7 CONCLUSION There is appalling need to provide healthy and nutritious food and hygiene kits to ensure the healthy well being of IDPs and to ensure protection from viral / communicable diseases. There is also dire need to provide student studying kits among students to decrease trauma and other psychological ills. Government agencies and non government organizations need to organize quality relief distribution. According to our assessment, the situation of food supplies is neither enough nor up to the mark to cater the needs of the IDPs living in schools and host communities and we felt the need for quality food distribution on regular basis. Creating awareness in the community at large on what and how to manage emergencies to make certain that the people in these districts do not face problems such as food shortages, health risks, and displacement is also equally important. Vulnerable groups like women and children are of highest priority. International and national agencies should continue to work closely with the Provincial Government and community groups in Swabi to provide humanitarian relief and support early recovery efforts. Immediate needs should be addressed that includes food and non-food items, shelter, health, water and sanitation and livelihoods. Food cluster partners should deliver food while drawing a strategy to combine all their efforts for the planned humanitarian response in the IDP hosting districts of NWFP. RECOMMENDATIONS Based on our findings from the assessment of the relief distribution in Swabi, we make the following recommendations: a. Food and basic non-food items People have lost their livelihoods and are living in abject poverty with shortages of food and non food items. In previous assessments reports GPP observed that 90% of the IDPs were without any basic assets like clothes, shoes, utensils, food, mosquito mats, coverlets for sleeping, and food for children between 2-3 years old. The food security situation is also very critical among IDPs living in the Marghuz and other targeted Union Councils of District Swabi and Mardan who are without sources of income. The prevailing situation is mostly affecting women and children, especially the infants, who have additional special nutritional needs like milk. 7

8 b. Shelter Shelter conditions of the IDPs in schools and host communities are highly hazardous. The majority of IDP families are sheltered in one small room with no safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. The poor shelter and hygiene conditions have caused a massive out break of communicable and noncommunicable diseases such as scabies, gastroentitis, malaria, respiratory tract infections, traumatic disorders etc. Owing to shortage of food, the IDPs especially women and children are also severely suffering from anemia and malnutrition. Additionally, the existing primary health care services in the schools are deficient of human and other resources to meet the reproductive health needs of women. c. Livelihoods IDPs living in schools and host communities have no livelihood opportunities.almost 90% of the IDPs have been deprived of their livestock assets and economic means. IDPs have a culture of extended families in which there are few earning hands. Male family members are either less skilled or have no opportunity to work in a new environment. The livelihood skills which the IDPs already possess are no longer relevant to their current conditions and new market. Without having their own agriculture and livestock related assets in targeted UCs they can not earn for their families without having alternative livelihood skills. They know farming, livestock management, small scale grocery shop keeping or in some cases, driving. Most have no source of income and they are relying on the money they receive from sale of their cattle and other valuables at the time of migration. Some people are working as laborers in fruit and vegetable markets or have set up makeshift stalls to earn a living. Still they are not earning enough to meet food and other necessary needs of their family in a city where they have to pay high rents for housing, utility bills and other expenses. d. Education The IDPs families, living in Marghuz and other UCs, are without essential resources to meet the educational needs of their children. It has been reported that socio-cognitive development and growth of internally displaced children has suspended for an unknown period of time. This has further added to the traumatic disorders of displaced children. 8

9 e. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and health Displaced families are also facing sanitation problems as the existing sanitation facilities could not cater the need of additional IDPs. The provision of safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene kits has, therefore, been identified as a priority by the UNHCR and SWO in order to reduce the incidence of water and sanitation related diseases. The massive influx of the IDPs have caused acute shortage of safe drinking water due to which there are greater risks of water related diseases outbreaks Water must be supplied while efforts are made to provide additional sanitation facilities in the host communities. The health and hygiene conditions are terrible. The poor hygiene and sanitation conditions in schools, host communities, spontaneous settlement and collective camps has lead to increase in diarrhea, skin and eye diseases, respiratory infections and malaria. Widespread outbreaks of infectious and communicable diseases such as scabies, respiratory tract infections, malaria and gastroenteritis are reported. Hygiene conditions particularly of women and children are extremely poor resulting in increased water borne disease incidences. These families do not have enough financial resources to cater for their daily needs and neither have alternative sources of income to purchase food and basic commodities for survival. f. Trauma Children, being more vulnerable, are suffering from traumas owing to their exposure to horrific war scenario and loss of their educational opportunities. Many people are traumatized and children especially are suffering from fear, as per findings of the staff of GPP. GPP also identifies following priority needs of IDPs Living in Schools in Marghuz district Swabi: o Kitchens Utensils. o Bedding. o Trauma healing Training o Medical Aid. o Cash for help for Transportation. o Education. o Women IDPs Protection. o Child Friendly Learning Space Centers 9

10 BENEFICIARIES INFORMATION Description of Beneficiaries A total of 1000 IDPs living in schools and with host families have been targeted for provision of relief items. More than 90% IDPs are staying with their relatives and friends and in schools. These IDPS are registered by UNHCR and Social Welfare Department and have issued registration slips that help them to get assistance. In many cases 15 to 20 people live in a single room and many even don t have roof on top their head. Major size of the populace is forced to get shelter with their relatives and friends. Because they consider living in camps, against their dignity and will impair their social status to live in. IDPs were deprived of basic needs and are being provided Cooking oil and wheat grains by World Food Program and other necessities like milk, sugar, medicine and clean drinking water is out of their dream. Dependency on male family members has made women and children more vulnerable. They are forced to compromise with their miserable living conditions such as lack of mobility, information regarding food and medical camps and no cash. They are waiting for support in state of hunger and disease. These displaced people don t have their essential belongings, basic medical facilities, arrangements for wash and sanitation and most importantly food. GPP targeted IDPs from off-camps and issued them coupon for each distribution, which will be carried out from July The details of beneficiaries attached as Annex A. Union Council wise details are as under: Following are the details of Direct Beneficiaries of GPP Relief Distribution: S. No Union Council Name Origin Grand Total 1. Margo Lower Dir, Buner, Swat Calla Butt Lower Dir, Buner, Swat Saprobe Lower Dir, Buner, Swat 300 Grand Total 1000 The Pakistan government had established a group of government agencies to monitor all activities and assist all the relief agencies to work well and organized. They had prepared primary data and comprehensive locale information. They allocated the union councils as per the NGOs capacity and experience. Each NGO was allocated different union councils to implement projects well and target most of the affected areas and people. After getting the Union Councils GPP team 10

11 conducted detailed survey, held focus group discussions and interviews. Local stakeholders were identified. Poor of the poorest and most vulnerable were on top priority while identifying the direct beneficiaries. MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION OF IDPS The 1000 vulnerable group members were identified by an extensive socio economic survey implemented by GPP. Members included widows, orphans, elderly people and disabled people. The means of identification were identified through IDPs meetings, list of vulnerable people by groups, (formed by GPP) and coordination of Ministry of Social Welfare offices at District and union council level and community member s participation. The socio economic form gathered the following information, name, F/H name, age, gender, marital statues, religion, and ethnic group/cast, house hold statues male or female head, family members. RESULTS The project was very participatory and effective; target communities were involved from incorporating till implementing it. The community s major contribution was their voluntarily work in each local in identifying needy people, vulnerable families, keeping discipline during distribution, mobilizing people and ensuring security measures. 11

12 The details of Relief items purchased and distributed amongst the IDPs is as under: S.No Food Items Qty 1 Flour 20 kg 2 Cooking Oil 5 liters 3 Salt 1 pack 4 Chilli powder 1 packet 5 Lentils 8 kg 6 Sugar 4 kg 7. Milk 1 kg 8. Tea 1 kg 9. Rice 10 kg S.No Hygiene Kit Qty 1 Buckets 2 2 Clothes washing soap 1400 gm 3 Tooth past 2 big 4 Tooth brush 6 5 Bathing soap 6 bar 6 Towels 1 7. Detergent 6 bar 8. Steel Tray 1 S.No Student kit Qty 1 Drawing pad 2 2 Coloring book 1 3 Color pencils 1 packet 4 Lead pencils 1 Packet 5 Eraser 4 6 Sharpener 4 7. stickers 2 charts 12

13 Outcomes GPP has started its emergency and relief activities in the Swabi to provide relief to the people who are suffering this huge disaster. The deteriorating situation of IDPs is alarming. Water and sanitation, hygiene and education facilities are lacking due to which children and women have acutely suffered. The vulnerable men, women and children of conflict zones were provided balanced food. Working with 1000 families in District Swabi NWFP, the distribution addressed relief commodity needs of the affected IDPs, thereby making a significant contribution to emergency phase. Following were the other effects of relief Distribution: Global Peace Pioneers (GPP) distributed relief items (food items) to 1000 displaced families, student studying and drawing kits to children and hygiene kits to women living in schools. Most vulnerable families got relief items distributed by the Global Peace Pioneers (GPP). 75% children got benefits that were neglected in previous humanitarian relief assistance distributed by other organizations. Children who were traumatized living in schools; GPP helped them by providing student studying and drawing kits. GGP provided food items to vulnerable IDP families mentioned above. Food items distributed by other organizations contain fewer calories. The food items that GPP distributed were substantial that are approximately calories. Impact The purpose of the distribution was to enable the communities affected by fighting between the Pakistan army and Taliban to combat the situation while earning their food. They needed food, shelter, safe water, livelihoods and other commodities as well but what was most important was addressing their food need, hygiene kits, and student studying kits. This helped them to sustain their lives and regularize their lives to some extent. 13

14 Evaluation Methods The project was implemented through very close coordination with the community members. Various development methods were used to notice the progress and evaluate the distribution achievements in terms of its objectives and activities. The following ways and means were used to measure the indicators: 1. Pre-numbered Coupons were issued 2. News clippings 3. Success Stories 4. List of beneficiaries 5. Photos 6. Interviews with beneficiaries 7. Remarks by the stakeholders 8- Food Survey Certificate The outcome of this project was evaluated mainly through the results of two surveys. 01. Before distribution survey and during distribution survey for volume of food consumed and diversification of foods eaten. The survey used was developed by looking at the Goal, objectives, indicators and impact. 14

15 Memorials Story No. 01 My name is Iqbal Hussain s/o Ameer hussain. I am from Mingora, Swat. I came here in Marghuz, Swabi some 40 days ago.by profession I was a Tailor in main Mengora Bazaar. I am 35 years old and we are six family members. It was a terrible situation. When my family and I left home, we had no transport service available at that time. We traveled many Kilometers on foot. On the way, one of stray bullets hit me on my right thigh. It was unbearable. My brothers took me on their shoulders and traveled for many Kilometers. We faced many problems at the time when we arrived. The utmost was searching shelter. We wandered for a week in search of a suitable shelter. Both food and non-food items were my urgent needs. I knew about GPP on the same day when GPP s team was registering IDPs for their relief package. I received food items from GPP. The food quality was good and it was up to the standard. The food was sufficient and I used it with great care. GPP s food package was good and as far as the comparison is concerned, the food was full of energy. I had not received such a standard package before from any other organization. Six persons of my family will be benefited for next 15 days. The distribution way of GPP was very well-organized and transparent. I would like to thank GPP for their support and sympathy for people like us. Story No. 02 My name is Sarbali Khan s/o Gul Wali Khan. I belong to Buner. I came here in Marghuz, Swabi a month ago. I was a teacher in a private school. I am 30 years old. We faced a lot of difficulties while coming here. First of all, when we left home, we found no transportation for streaming out of the area, so we traveled for 24 hours on foot. It was really terrible situation. When we arrived here, we had left with nothing as we had left behind all our belonging over there. We had no shelter and other basic needs at that time. Our urgent needs were food, medicines and non-food items (NFIs). I heard the name of GPP from one of my friends. I received quality food items from GPP distribution. The food quality was better. The food was sufficient and I used it well without any hesitation. The food quality is the main difference as I found it much better than that of any other organization. Eight persons of my family will be benefited for days from this package. The distribution way of GPP was very good and we faced no problems in receiving the package. I really want to thank GPP for arranging such a peaceful and well-organized distribution. 15

16 Story No. 03 My name is Sargand Khan s/o Ghani Khan. I am 40 years old. I came here from Swat. I reached here in Murghoz one and a half month ago. I was running business and had my own fruit orchards of apple and peach. We faced a lot of difficulties, when we left our homes. Everything we faced on the way was terrible and unbearable. We had traveled on foot for more than 2 days and left behind all our belongings. When we arrived here, we had no shelter at that time. Other than shelter, we had nothing to live with. My family s urgent needs were food and shelter. At first I took some food and non-food items but that was insufficient for my family. I came to know about GPP from one of my relative. I received food items from GPP. The food standard and quality was very good. Yes, the food was sufficient for our family. GPP s food package was better in quality than that of any other NGO s package and most importantly, every food item was included in this package. My family will use it for more than 10 days. GPP s way of distribution was appreciable. We, the IDPs will never forget the support and sympathy of our Pakistani brothers in such crucial time and thanks to GPP for their response. Story No. 04 My name is Hayat Khan s/o Fazal Hussain. I belong to a village of Buner. I am 30 years old. I came here in Murghoz some 20 days ago. I was a shopkeeper. I faced a lot of problems while coming here. The most prominent was that we had no transportation facility to move out from troubled areas of Buner. So, we traveled 35 kilometers on foot. We were in very terrible conditions. At first when we arrived here, we had no shelter to live in. I took a tent on rent, and spent one week in that tent. My argent need was food. In the early days the villagers gave us some food and non-food items (NFIs). I knew about GPP from one of my neighbors. I received non-food items from GPP. GPP relief package was enough and as per my needs. It was too much for my family for a month. The distribution way of GPP was good and wellorganized. The way GPP distributed was exclusive. GPP relief package ease my condition a lot, as the quality of the items was very good and the items were enough for me and my family. Story No.05 I am Sher Bahader s/o Mir Bahader. I am from Swat. I came to Swabi a month ago. I was a transporter in Kabal, Swat. I am 40 years old and we are eight family members. I and my family suffer a lot on the way to Swabi. We traveled for more than 30 km on foot. Particularly my children were very scared and they 16

17 were in a state of shock so much so that one of my children became senseless. This will be a worse memory for the rest of my life. At first when we arrived here, we took shelter with one of my friends. But after a few days, I took a house on rent. At that time, I had no foods for my family to feed as my economic conditions were very weak. My argent needs were food items and nonfood items. I knew about GPP through an announcement regarding distribution which was delivered in a mosque here in Marghuz. I received non-food items from GPP. GPP s NFIs package was enough. The distribution way of GPP was very transparent and well-organized. GPP relief package addressed my needs well. The quality of the items was very good. I would like to share my feelings regarding IDPs response at distribution points. They must not be aggressive and show patience, otherwise, nothing would be transparent. I hope that organizations like GPP will maintain their contributions to help these helpless people from Swat and Buner. Story No. O6 My name is Shereen Khan s/o Malook.I am 35 years old. We are nine family members. I belong to a beautiful village of Buner. I came here in Marghoz, Swabi on 4 th of June. I was a truck driver before the displacement. We faced a lot of hardship while coming out of our home town. We had no personal transport. We traveled dozens of kilometers on foot. One of my children died on the way due to severe illness. It was unbearable situation. When we arrived here, there was no shelter and food. We spent the first night on roadside. But the next day, I took a tent and two mattresses. After a couple of days, I found a house on rent. My urgent needs were food, non-food items and shelter. I know about GPP on the same day when GPP team was registering IDPs for distribution. I received bulk of non-food items from GPP. GPP relief package was enough for my family. The distribution way of GPP was exclusive as I have never seen such well organized and transparent distribution. GPP relief package addressed my needs well. The items which I received from GPP were enough for my family and it relieved us a lot. I really impressed from GPP and its team. The items which GPP distributed were very qualitative and up to one s family s basic needs. 17

18 Relief Distribution Report Swabi, NWFP, Pakistan PHOTOGRAPHS 18

19 19

20 Relief Distribution Report Swabi, NWFP, Pakistan 20

21 21

22 22