This report was issued by OCHA Pakistan. It covers the period from 6 to 17 November.
SITUATION OVERVIEW:
From 11 to 14 November a multi-cluster mission went to Dera Ismail Khan District (D.I. Khan) to assess the humanitarian situation and conditions for the civilians displaced from South Waziristan, due to the ongoing military operations.
As of 17 November, 54,333 families (approx. 400,000 individuals) have registered in the two hosting districts of D.I. Khan and Tank; 36,787 families (approx. 260,000 individuals) of which have been verified by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). According to NADRA, 17,546 families (approx. 128,000 individuals) are not eligible for IDP status due to multiple registrations, the validity of their ID cards or because of their places of origin.
The mission established that about 300,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) (75 percent of all IDPs from South Waziristan) are from the Mahsud tribe, which means that almost the entire Mahsud population have left their homes. Most of the IDPs come from poor backgrounds and are in need of assistance. They reported large-scale destruction and damage in the conflict-affected areas of South Waziristan (destruction/severe damage to houses, livestock and social infrastructure). According to IDPs in D.I. Khan, about 7,000 civilians, mostly men, have stayed behind to look after their belongings.
Some IDPs complained about the exorbitant transport fees of up to PKRs 40,000 (approx. US $ 500) to reach the hosting districts. Those living in rented accommodation (approx. 30 percent of all IDPs) also mentioned exploiting prices.
According to the mission, there are currently about 2,000 families (approx. 14,500 individuals) from the Bhittani tribe, who are not from the government-notified areas and do not meet the criteria for governmental registration. However, these IDPs received initial humanitarian assistance (food and non-food items).
NEEDS:
The registration criteria for IDPs have to be reviewed together with the relevant authorities on district and provincial level to ensure the inclusion of all genuine IDPs in line with the internationally recognised Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
Due to the oncoming winter, there is a huge demand for firewood, winterised tents and nonfood items (NFIs), such as winter bedding and clothing. As the governmental cash grant of PKRs 5,000 per family does not constitute adequate support for socially deprived families, food distribution might have to continue longer than initially planned.
Society, tradition and customs in South Waziristan are conservative and women do not visit public places, including relief distribution points. Therefore, humanitarians have to look into new approaches for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to ensure that femaleheaded households will not be left out and all vulnerable segments of the IDP population receive the assistance they need.
