Rapid Assesment Report of IDPs of Malakand Division
Executive Summary:
Association for Humanitarian Development (AHD) has been working in interior Sindh concentrating on sustainable livelihoods options and promoting local solutions to the problems faced by the communities at large. AHD has been successfully promoting the (Nadi Filters) low cost water purifying techniques in area. The present military operation against militants has resulted in the influx of IDPs in almost all major cities, however districts Mardan, Swabi, Charsada and Nowshera are hosting the major portion of the displaced people both in camps and Host communities.
AHD conducted an assessment of the area both in camps and host communities to learn about the needs of the IDPs and initiate efforts to respond accordingly. AHD’s team visited camps and had focused group discussion among host communities. The assessment tools included direct observation, meetings with stakeholders, questionnaire, and focused group discussions, collection of water samples and testing and review of assessment reports by others.
The findings of the assessment show that 16 out of tested samples 12 are below the safety standards for drinking purposes. Other than this the host communities were found in extreme conditions since they had been assisting the IDPs since last 4-5 weeks. The immediate needs as learnt through are following:
1. Food Items
2. Safe drinking water
3. Non Food Items
4. Health Hygiene related needs especially the Hygiene kits
The IDPs mainly consist of female and children who unfortunately already fall in the category of marginalized. Although the camps established are providing assistance to IDPs vast majority of the IDPS (85%) are living with host communities. According to the Emergency Response Unit there are 39,994 families residing in both old and new camps whereas another 462,523 families are living outside camps. Among the IDPs there is a tiny portion of minorities (Christians, Hindus and Sikhs).
This has resulted in increased load upon the host communities adding to their vulnerabilities in various forms economically, physically infrastructures, health, educational and others.
Tests Results of Water samples collected from Mardan, Swabi and Haripur Districts
The 11 water samples taken and tested via Oxfam GB Delequa kit and the results shows that only four sample listed in A3, A5, B2 and B4 can be used for the drinking purposes
but the remaining tests shows that there is need to use filter plants to save women and children health of IDPs.
Background:
In early 2009, the GOP signed a peace deal with the local Taliban in Swat with onset fears that this deal would not work out which it did not and finally the military operation Rah-e-Rast started during the first week of May 2009. This resulted in the displacement of people from conflict areas to safer areas and by the end of May 2009 the number of IDPs reached to 3.3 Million. The displacement demanded larger response by the Government, international community, civil society organizations and locals. UNHCR’s appealed 545 Million US$ to assist the IDPs, there are other various appeals by government and other organizations to meet the need of the people.
Since the influx is too large it is becoming hard for all stakeholders to respond to the needs, however efforts are being made to address this issue as per exiting capacity of all stakeholders. As majority of the communities are living with host communities the situation for host communities have worsened a lot and demanded support to enable them to cater the IDPs.
AHD Introduction:
Association for Humanitarian Development (AHD) is a social community based organization was established in December 2001-2002 and registered under the Societies Registration Act: XXI of 1860 on 17 May 2003. The main Objective of the AHD is to work for the Peace, Justice, Harmony and equality through the participation of most disadvantaged and marginalized communities for the sustainability as a whole. Presently AHD working in Lower Sindh and promoting sustainable livelihood security among 2,000 families of District Thatta Sindh and initiated innovative projects to bring positive and quick developmental change in the poor communities.
Vision
To bring Peace, Justice, Unity and Harmony for all and to ensure availability of food and equal distribution of natural resources among the marginalized communities.
Mission
Mobilizing and motivating vulnerable people through different programs and projects, moving them to wards sustainable development.
Goal
Promotion of self-help activities through capacity building among the vulnerable/poverty stricken communities towards sustainable development.
Tools
Door to door visits, Awareness Workshops, Seminars, Meetings, Exposures and Registration of SHG/CBO/CCB etc.
Terms
Community’s Participation
Priority Programs:
1. Human & Institutional Development Program
2. Agriculture Development Program
3. Environment Development Program 4. Health Development Program
5. Women Empowerment Program
6. Relief & Rehabilitation Program
Note: (The relief & Rehabilitation program is mandatory depend on the situation and funds availability)
Objective:
To learn about the needs of IDPs in camps and host communities with special focus on availability of safe drinking water
Methodology:
Following is the strategy adopted by AHD for this Needs Assessment:
• Individual Questionnaire (Please see Annex 1)
• Focused Group Discussions
• Direct Observation
• Meetings with stakeholders (INGOs, NGOs, Local Community Leaders (See Annex for Details)
• Water Testing (drinking water in camps and from host communities)
• Presentation of Nadi Filter during WASH cluster meeting for promotion and adoption.
AHD team assessment team focused on information collection regarding:
• Individual information
• Place of origin, present residence, available assets with IDPs
• Living condition, food intake, drinking water and quality of water
• Plans to return back
• Registration status with district authorities
• People with disabilities, illness or special needs
Assessment Findings:
1. IDPs among host communities and host families too are in desperate need of food items. Among the host communities the exiting eating practice showed a gap of one meal (700-1000) kilo caloric intake. Following is the list of prioritized needs of IDPs:
Food
Provision of Wheat Flour, Sugar, Tea, Potatoes/onions, Lentils which consume less fuel, Food for children between the ages 2-5
Non Food Items
Provision of kitchen sets, floor mats, hygiene kits, children clothing, water coolers, fans and mosquito nets for IDPs living in camps. While for IDPs living with host community stoves, mats and household kits to be provided in addition to the items mentioned earlier.
Safe Drinking Water
• Ensure provision of safe drinking of water
• Improve the general sanitation condition in camps and affected communities.
• Pre-empt occurrence of water and sanitation related epidemics through WASH service delivery.
• Provision of household hygiene kits and hygiene promotion.
The overall safe drinking water situation is verse in camps the water is available is not fit for the drinking purpose but their no any other option to have access to safe and clean drinking water. The ground water is also polluted and the faecal coli forms level is about 40 to 50 colonies per 100ml. This shows that the drinking water is one high risk and there is need to use filter plants to provide drinking water to the rural communities. Majority of children in IDP camps reported that they are facing through the diheria and gastro diseases in large.
Health/Medical Facilities
Since majority of the victims are women and children, as per the estimation there
are around 67,000 pregnant women among IDPs, who need assistance.
Education
Transitional educational services for the IDP students since they were unable to
attend schools for last one year especially the girls
2. IDPs faced stomach related problems which seem to be due to the utilization of unsafe drinking water. This has increased the demand for medical assistance especially among children between the ages 3-12 years of age.
3. Mardan and Swabi are the prime recipients of IDPs and are in dire need of assistance especially those living with host communities.
4. The main livelihoods sources for the IDPs were farm laborers however at the time of displacement they were about to harvest, it is therefore that by leaving the area when they use to earn has left the IDPs with no or very meager resources.
5. IDP family household size is between 7-10 family members
6. AHD collected 16 of water samples and the results show that only 04 were safe drinking water.
7. The families visited in Haripur did not get registered yet since the Registration Process was stopped by the district authorities. This made IDPs more vulnerable by not allowing them to be registered.
8. Only 15 families interviewed were willing/planning to return back and others were seriously reluctant to return back as they were the laborers and were thinking of getting engaged in Haripur.
Recommendations:
The assessment findings show the demand and need for host communities and IDPs in target areas. The needs range from food items, NFIs, Safe Drinking water, health related facilities, protection issues and education.
1. Food Package:
AHD would recommend a Food Package for the 1000 Host Communities and IDPs (400 Mardan, 400 Swabi and 200 in Haripur). The food package recommended is for a period of 1 month to meet the caloric needs of 2100 calories per person/per day.
2. Provision of NFIs:
Provision of kitchen sets, floor mats, hygiene kits, children clothing, water coolers, fans and mosquito nets for IDPs.
3. Provision of Safe Drinking Water
Since AHD has edge in providing low cast local Nadi Filter for safe drinking water, we would recommend to initially install 200 Nadi Filters among host communities to initiate the safe drinking practice among host communities. This will be followed by awareness raising sessions regarding safe hygiene practices and separate sessions with female groups.
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