Center for Research and security Studies (CRSS) conducted an exclusive radio program ‘Jaraga Maraka’ from Peshawar on June 30,2014, highlighting the problems faced by the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the government’s efforts to alleviate their problems.
“A total of 38,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) have been registered so far and FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) is taking every measure to help the IDPs in this extremely hot weather,” said Mr. Farmanullah, a representative of FATA-DMA in ‘Jaraga Maraka’, Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) radio show on June 30, 2014. He said FATA-DMA is providing Rs. 12,000 to the IDPs immediately after registration at ‘Sayed Gai’ check point.
The situation of the IDPs is improving and with the help from a local cell company that is distributing free SIMs to the people in the camps; it is becoming easier to transfer money electronically through ‘Easy Paisa’ scheme. This was done on FDMA’s request so as to avoid long queues of the IDPs in the scorching heat.
Farmanullah added that all the related departments are working in collaboration with FATA-DMA under the supervision of Commissioner Bannu. Problems facing IDPs are decreasing as many national and international organizations are providing food and other assistance to the IDPs along with FDMA, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the federal government. “All nonprofit and civil society organizations are allowed to help the IDPs. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), World Food Program (WFP) and UNHCR are all assisting in relief operations”.
After Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Bannu IDP Camp, rehabilitation work is fast progressing and number of registration and food points has also been increased. Mr. farmanullah and other representatives of the respective relief organizations report to the Commissioner Bannu daily and coordinate with each other to alleviate the challenges facing the IDPs.
Mr. Safdar Hayat Dawar, a journalist from Waziristan said, “Government had not prepared any plans to deal with this huge relocation of people even after the experience of IDPs from Swat. Displacement of almost 500,000 people can create immense problems and it was absolutely necessary for the government to have made some plans for managing the exodus.
He said “the IDPs will never forget the support provided to them by the public while coming from N. Waziristan. The people provided them with food and shelter and also sacrificed their cattle for them.” He urged the government to register the left out IDPs at their respective areas of residence in districts of Laaki Marwat, Kohat and Peshawar as soon as possible and extend assistance to the unregistered IDPs in Ramadan.
“Malik Riaz has pledged to donate 500 million Rupees for relief and rehabilitation of the IDPs, and will provide ‘aftari’ for IDPs in Ramdan”.