This report was issued by OCHA HQ with a coverage period from 24 June to 30 June. The next report will be issued on or around 10 July 2009.
I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES
- Camps and shelters are being reinforced to prepare for the July monsoon rains.
- There are now a total of 45 humanitarian hubs, in and out of camps. The provision of water/ sanitation and shelter materials is a priority for IDPs in host communities. In June, over 20,500 MT of food was distributed to IDPs in camps and host communities.
- Local authorities estimate that about 30 percent of IDPs from Buner have returned to their place of origin in the last three weeks.
- The Provincial Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Settlement Authority (PRRSA) was created on 29 June.
II. Situation Overview
According to the Provincial Government, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has so far verified 270,000 families or approximately 1.9 million people. NADRA has also reported that 563 families have successfully using the 'redressal' system that has been established to deal with appeals on IDP status.
The Provincial Government continues the distribution of cash grants to registered IDPs through debit cards, amounting to Rp 25,000 (about US$308). The debit cards can be used in automatic teller machines and banks and this method is currently being piloted in five camps (Jalozai, Akora Khattak, Gohati and Chotta Lahore in Swabi, and Government College Charsadda). As of 30 June, NADRA reported that over 56,000 families have received their cards and Rp 850 million was dispensed in close to some 54,000 ATM and point of sale transactions. NADRA also reports that the trend of withdrawing small amounts at a time is continuing.
There are now a total of 45 humanitarian hubs, in and out of camps. The hubs are being used to distribute Non-Food Items (NFIs) and hygiene kits as well as food. Camps are currently being assessed for their vulnerability to the upcoming monsoon rains. There is still a need for additional land to assist in decongesting existing camps as well as providing space for newly arrived IDPs and those from spontaneous shelters. The provision of water/ sanitation and shelter materials is a priority for IDPs in host communities.
Findings from a 25 June multi cluster assessment to Buner supported NADRA verified data showing that, of the 650,000 people in the district, 66,488 families or 465,416 individuals have been displaced. This is almost 71 percent of the area's population, out of which an estimated 30 percent of IDPs have returned to their places of origin in the last three weeks. Based on interviews, it is estimated that an average of 300 families return to Buner every day. According to Government sources, eight out of 27 Union Councils in Buner remain insecure. A union council or village council is the first level of government administration in the country and each council has a population of about 25,000.
Electricity has been restored in 60 percent of Buner. Local authorities estimate that electricity will be fully restored within a week. Authorities also estimate that 30 percent of landlines as well as three mobile networks have been restored. Approximately 75 percent of water supplies have also been restored.
In addition, an ICRC1 assessment in three areas in Buner (Daggar, Sultan Was, Pir Baba), between 17 to 27 June, found that part of Northern Buner's population had moved towards the Southern areas of the district. The ICRC assisted many of the displaced with food rations.
A multi cluster preparedness assessment is currently taking place in Bhakkar, Punjab. The assessment is looking at options for delivering assistance for potential displaced populations from South Waziristan into the southern NWFP districts of DI Khan and Tank.