This report covers the period from 10 June to 17 June. The next report will be issued on or around 25 June, 2009.
I. HIGHLIGHTS/KEY PRIORITIES
- The registration of some 1.9 million IDPs has so far been confirmed by Pakistani authorities, of whom about 260,000 IDPs are living in 27 camps, and the remainder with host families.
- Concerns have been raised regarding the establishment of several spontaneous camps in Upper Dir, and the possibility of others to follow in areas not easily accessible by the humanitarian community.
- There are presently 10 Registration Centers and 34 Humanitarian Hubs, which distribute 47,000 MT of food and NFIs to IDPs living in and outside camps. Ten more distribution points are inside IDP camps.
- Precautionary measures have been taken in host communities to prevent any outbreak of acute watery diarrhea (AWD) and other illnesses that could occur with the upcoming monsoon season.
II. Situation Overview
The verification process of IDP registrations is ongoing. To date, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has verified registration data for 1.9 million IDPs. A backlog of registration forms is still being processed, while new registrations continue daily. NADRA has established 'grievance redressal' desks in all the Humanitarian Hubs to address issues related to registration.
According to the Government of Pakistan's Provincial are some 260,000 IDPs living in 27 camps, six of which are new - including Larama, Sugar Mill Camp, Kund, and Rangmala in Malakand and GHS Satti Killa in Bannu.
The focus of humanitarian operations continues to be the provision of assistance to IDPs living in camps and within host communities. The strain on the existing infrastructure of host communities remains a priority concern. Options for preparing the IDP camps for the upcoming monsoon season are being pursued. Access to people in the areas of ongoing conflict has not significantly improved. An ICRCi team travelled to Upper Dir this week to assess the humanitarian needs in the area affected by the fighting. Preliminary findings showed that residents are still leaving their homes in search of safety further to the south.
The North West Frontier Province (NWFP) authorities have piloted the use of debit cards to disburse the announced Rp 25,000 ($US 309) grant per IDP family. Under this pilot programme, some 15,000 debit cards have been issued so far with very encouraging results. It is expected that it will be expanded to cover all IDPs in the coming weeks.
The humanitarian community is involved in preparedness activities to better respond to the evolving humanitarian situation and the needs of those affected.
III. Humanitarian Needs and Response
Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM)
Needs: There is a need for allocation of suitable land for new IDP camp sites in order to ease congestion in a number of existing camps.
Response: In the Yar Hussain IDP camp, , Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), a cluster partner completed the construction of 198 kitchens in Phase 1 of the camp, and, as of 17 June, it will double their activities to start kitchens in Phase 3. The Society for Sustainable Development (SSD) completed the building of structures to provide shade to 1,300 tents in Phase 1; work is in progress in Phase 2. In addition, 180 centre poles used in tents in Yar Hussain camp were found to be structurally weak and in need of replacement; 90 have been replaced so far.
After a scan to clear the land of mines, the Government of Pakistan authorized UNHCR to develop Phase 10 in Jalozai camp, which would have the capacity to host 1,000 IDP families or about 6,000 individuals. The implementing partner, Pakistan Community Development Programme (Pak-CDP), will now begin site development in close coordination with government camp managers.
The Sugar Mill and Larama camps have reached their maximum capacity.
Gaps /Challenges: Preparations for the forthcoming monsoon season; provision of firewood for individuals and kitchens; and improved coordination to address any arising needs in the camps.
Emergency Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFIs)
Needs: Effective distribution of NFIs to all eligible beneficiaries.
Response: UNHCR/Idrak have completed 810 structures to provide shading to family tents in Jalala camp and 500 similar structures in Sheikh Shahzad camp. Pakistan Community Development Programme completed 300 individual kitchens in the former camp and 320 kitchens in the latter. In Yar Hussain camp, some 700 tents were provided shade with agro-net structures constructed by UNHCR/SSD. During the reporting period, the International Rescue Committee registered 323 families (around 1,479 individuals) in this camp; the total population of Yar Hussain now stands at 6,573 families (around 31,848 individuals). Shelter items (UNHCR tents) and NFI packages were provided to the newly registered families.
Sugar Mill camp is organised into four phases, three of which are tented and one consists of an existing building with 22 rooms and bathrooms reserved for families with special needs. Eighty percent of the camp fencing is completed and distribution of bricks for the construction of individual kitchens has started. Fencing in Larama camp is completed in Phases A and D, while the ERU has completed 90 percent of the electrification to provide power. The Implementing partner, SSD, has completed 400 meters of road inside the camp.
Outside of the camps, shading for 29 distribution hubs in Mardan, Nowshera and Charsadda was completed
by UNHCR/SRSP. The project is ongoing in Swabi with five structures completed and seven under construction.
Since 3 June, UN-Habitat provided tents for 3,475 beneficiaries, and distributed 342 house repair kits, 300 kitchen sets and 500 floor mats for IDP families living in host communities in Mardan and Swabi.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has concluded a pilot project for the construction of some 100 shelters for about 600 IDPs living outside camps. CRS teams will work in the Union Councils of Takkar and Jalala (Mardan), in private areas surrounding GPS Bandi / Amanullah Korona and Mohalla Rawani. CRS is also piloting shelters in two Union Councils in Swabi (Saleem Khan and Shiwa). CRS has distributed 1,800 NFIs in these communities.
Since 1 June, IOM has also delivered the following NFIs to UNHCR for distribution in and outside camps: a total of 5,000 tents and 30,000 NFI kits consisting of fleece blankets, quilts, sleeping mats, jerry cans, mosquito nets, plastic buckets, kitchen sets and soap.
ICRC distribution of firewood, hygiene kits, kitchen sets and clothes for children and women to IDP families continued in five camps of Lower Dir this week. Since 3 June, some 15,500 individuals have been assisted.
Gaps /Challenges: An effective and timely distribution of NFIs is required for a growing number of IDPs. It is urgent to complete the summer-related projects that will provide shade to a large number of tents and public areas. There is also a need for improved monitoring of overall shelter activities over the coming days.
Food Security
Needs: More partners are needed to provide and distribute food to spontaneous camps, schools and within the conflict zones.
Response: From 11 to 16 June, some 386,000 IDPs benefited both in and outside camps from 6,350 MT of food assistance. Since 1 May, 47,000 MT of food has been distributed to IDPs in host communities and camps using a monthly family ration comprised of wheat/wheat flour, pulses, vegetable oil, salt, tea and sugar, excluding high energy biscuits (HEB).
Distribution records are now available online in all 10 distribution points in the camps as well as in all 34 humanitarian hubs. This measure ensures that database records are accurate and helps reduce the likelihood that food rations double distribution.
With the support of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), between 8 and 14 June, more than 37,500 IDPs have been assisted with food rations and firewood in Swabi and Mardan and in four conflict areas: Malakand, Swat, Lower Dir and Buner. In Mardan district, Church World Service has distributed 300 food parcels to 300 host families and the Anatolian Development Foundation is currently distributing food and NFIs to 3,500 off-camp families.
Gaps /Challenges: Community kitchens and fuel for cooking are needed in four camps (Jalozai 3, Palosa 2, Larama, and Saleem Saleem Sugar Mills) before food distribution can be restored. Currently, cooked food is being provided to the four camps by the district administration.
The Food Cluster is currently only 46 percent funded. Current pipeline breaks for June and July were temporarily restored as a result of an internal funding arrangement by WFP. The gap in sugar supply is currently being met from the available stock at the Food Bank in Azekhel.
