CWS situation report: Pakistan displacement
Thursday, October 22, 2009

The Pakistan military launched a ground offensive in the South Waziristan region on Oct 17. The area is located in northwest Pakistan and borders Afghanistan. Communication lines in the conflict area have been cut off. Thousands of inhabitants of the conflict-affected areas continue to flee to neighboring districts, including Dera Ismail Khan and Tank in the southern area of North-West Frontier Province.

Alia, an internally displaced girl who fled a military offensive in South Waziristan, sits with her brother, who is making tea to sell at a registration point in Dera Ismail Khan. Photo: REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood, courtesy www.alertnet.org

Situation

The Pakistan military launched a ground offensive in the South Waziristan region on Oct 17. The area is located in northwest Pakistan and borders Afghanistan. Communication lines in the conflict area have been cut off. Thousands of inhabitants of the conflict-affected areas continue to flee to neighboring districts, including Dera Ismail Khan and Tank in the southern area of North-West Frontier Province. Many are taking refuge in with friends and family in local communities.
 
The UN reports that 100,000 new internally displaced persons have reached Dera Ismail Khan and Tank. More than 80,000 people had already been taking refuge in these areas since May, displaced by smaller outbreaks of conflict, including from North Waziristan.
 
Humanitarian access in the region remains significantly restricted, making it difficult for international humanitarian groups to respond. The only groups being allowed to respond are local agencies. The direct operations of all international organizations in the area have been stopped, CWS staff in Pakistan reports.
 
Local partners of CWS and other Action by Churches Together members in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank report that displaced persons can only sustain themselves for a short time with the very limited provisions they have been able to take with them. With the winter season setting in, shelter and heating will also become an increasing concern, CWS reports.
 
Authorities are considering establishing formal camps for Waziristan displaced persons.  However, it could take several more days for camp plans to be finalized. The United Nations estimates that 50,000 people are likely to settle in potential camps and 200,000 in host communities.
 
The situation in South Waziristan is one of several examples of recent deteriorating security in Pakistan for both civilians and aid workers. The various incidents are limiting the operations of humanitarian organizations and access to displaced people who continue to need humanitarian assistance.

CWS response

CWS is working to strengthen and support local partner Sarhad in its efforts to deliver assistance to the newly displaced in Dera Ismail Khan. Sarhad has expertise in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector and has extensive experience working in the tribal and conflict-affected areas.
 
Depending on funding, CWS hopes to distribute hygiene kits, blankets and other non-food items for 5,000 families. In addition, CWS hopes to provide safe drinking water to 8,800 displaced persons through 80 communal hand pumps, along with sanitation support through 440 latrines, 80 bathing places and 80 washing points. The establishment of free medical care is also being considered to serve the displaced persons.
 
CWS and other ACT members working in Pakistan are taking appropriate security measures. The ongoing relief activities of CWS and others to assist previous displaced persons in Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Swabi and Buner districts of the North West Frontier Province are not affected in this new emergency situation. These activities are expected to continue until the end of November or December.
 
CWS is developing plans for recovery and rehabilitation work for returned displaced persons in Buner and Swat.

How to help

Contributions to support Church World Service emergency response and recovery efforts may be made online, by phone (800.297.1516), or sent to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.