Daily Times

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 up with 42 degrees temperatures to receive goods for their survival. A total of 75,241 families and 876,999 individuals have been registered at the registration points of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (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 out the ground reality, I approached a few IDPs and was told by one of them that he had registered his 12-member family and his elder son had registered the same number separately, hence the increase in number. Although I still cannot confirm the flaw in the registration system until there is solid evidence, the issue must be looked into.

The Federal Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) has set up a camp in Baka Khel, Bannu. There have been 10 water tanks installed on the premises and electricity is available 24/7, but only around 45 families have shifted there so far. Some humanitarian individuals, including Maheen Taseer whose husband was kidnapped by the Taliban a few years ago, have also provided them with fans and food supplies. More families are interested in moving to Baka Khel camps now that the FDMA has made an effort to improve the camps but, as per tribal culture and their large families, the IDPs are expecting larger family size tents, which should be weather proof. They are also requesting some sort of drapes between each tent so that they can remain in privacy as per their traditions. The tribal people live under a strict code of defined conduct. This 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 Barmal in Afghanistan come under the same belt, with extended families. The neighbouring settled area to North Waziristan is the district of Bannu. A great number of those Wazirs and 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 villages and have been serving as doctors and businessmen for around 100 to 200 years now. These families have provided space in their private hujras (homes) for many IDPs who refused to stay at the camps set up at the Union Council Baka Khel. Each room contains around 14 to 15 people, making it very hard for the IDPs, especially in these high temperatures.

The IDPs have left their homes for Operation Zarb-e-Azb to succeed in removing terrorists from North Waziristan for their own and our sakes. They have been living in isolation in chilly areas all their lives and have gone through much trouble because of the Taliban for the past so many years. It is not easy for them to adapt to the heat, put up with the disrespect shown to them by many who treat them like beggars, and no appropriate arrangements for their refuge. “We are glad to hear from the Pakistan army that around 80 percent of the area has been cleared of terrorists as we cannot wait to return to our homes,” says Zahir, an IDP from Mir Ali.

During 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 most dire need, which must be given first priority. If family-sized tents are provided to each family unit, they will be able to set-up the camp in the courtyards 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,” says 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 the markets and they require it, especially in Ramzan.

The most unnoticed individuals in the whole IDP issue are the children, who were placed in danger, falling victim to violence, disease, malnutrition and also death as they fled 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 have been requesting clothes for women and children. Infants who are at risk of, 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 all the IDPs. “Our children have summer vacations now but they usually end after Eid. We are worried about their educational loss and request the government to come up with plans for temporary educational institutions for our children,” says IDP Nisar Ali Khan.

The writer works in the development sector