A lengthy, unceasing queue in a barren land, void of shade was seen with little children, old men and youngsters waiting to receive food supplies from one morning to the next. The tribals of North Waziristan famous for throwing grand dinner parties especially in Ramzan were bearing 42 degrees of temperature to receive goods for their survival. A total of 75,241 families and 876,999 individuals have been registered at the registration points of PDMA. Recently a debate arose on the increasing numbers of IDPs being seven times higher than the total population of North Waziristan as per the 1998 census. To find ground realities i approached a few IDPs and was told by one of them that he had registered his twelve member family and his elder son registered the same number separately, hence the increase in number. Although I would still not confirm the flaw in registration system until there is a solid evidence but the issue must be looked into.
The Federal Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) has set up a camp in Bakakhel; Bannu. There have been ten water tanks installed in the premises, electricity is available 24/7 but only around 45 families have shifted there so far. Some humanitarian individuals including Maheen Taseer whose husband has been kidnapped by talibans for years now have also provided them with fans and food supplies. More families are interested in moving to Bakakhel camps now that the FDMA has made an effort to improve the camps but as per the tribals’ culture and large families, the IDPs are expecting larger family size tents which should be weather proof and they were also requesting for some sort of drapes between each tent for them to remain in privacy as per their traditions. The tribals live under a strict code of conduct defined. The code of conduct classifies the privacy of women, equal respect to all tribal people and hospitality as its major portion.
South Waziristan, North Waziristan and Birmal Afghanistan come under the same belt with extended families. The neighboring settled area to North Waziristan is the District Bannu. A great number of those Wazirs, Dawars who succeeded in receiving professional education, belonging to South Waziristan and North Waziristan have been shifting to Bannu in order to stay close to their village and are serving as doctors, businessmen etc for around 100-200 years now. These families have provided space in their private hujras for many IDPs who denied the camps set up at Union Council Bakakhel but each room has around 14-15 people residing; making it very hard for the IDPs especially with the high temperature.
The IDPs have left their homes for Zarb-e-Azb to succeed in removing terrorists from North Waziristan for their own and our sake. They have been living in isolation in chilly areas all their lives and have gone through enough troubles because of talibans for the past so many years. It is not easy for them to swallow the heat, disrespect by many treating them almost as beggars and no appropriate arrangements for their refuge. “We are glad to hear from Pak-Army that around 80% area has been cleared of terrorists as we cannot wait to return to our homes” – Zahir, an IDP from MirAli.
Till the time they have taken refuge in Bannu, Karak etc, we must help them in addressing their reasonable demands. Hands-on information from the IDPs verifies that shelter is still their dire need which must be given first priority. If family size tents are provided to each family unit, they would be able to set-up the camp in the court yards of the hujras, schools etc that they are already residing in.
“there are around 40 individuals residing in the school in Karak with me. If we receive four tents, it would make our lives much easier” – Omar Zaman an IDP in Karak. The food supplies have been sufficient as per the IDPs I personally met but they were insisting on cutting down the flour and increasing the amount of sugar in the food packs as its availability is short in markets and they require it especially in Ramzan.
The most unnoticed individuals in the whole IDP issue are children, placing them in danger to fall victim to violence, disease, malnutrition and also death as they flee in the scorching heat. They may become separated from their families, placing them at risk of forced recruitment, human trafficking, hazardous labour and sexual exploitation. Correct measures must be taken for the protection of the displaced children. There should be playing areas with shade for the children to exercise their right to play. The IDPs were requesting for clothes for women and children. Infants who are at risk for, or who already have, a delay in development must be addressed. High quality group care for infants, children and pregnant women is a requirement for IDPs. “Our children have summer vacations now but they usually end after eid and we are worried for their educational loss and would request the government to come up with plans for temporary educational institutions for our children.” – IDP Nisar Ali Khan
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