Displaced families need urgent support to find hope - not just refuge in camps

“It was through loud speakers from the Mosques where we came to know that we all have to abandon our beautiful village as soon as possible,” he adds.

Intense fighting between militant groups and the Pakistani forces in and around the Swat valley has driven more families from their homes with some 700,000 people now displaced and rushing to safe areas according to latest reports by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Ongoing violence in recent years has displaced thousands, stripping people of their livelihoods and leaving them struggling to cope on a daily basis.

...they were forced to leave behind their crops at harvest time, and they fear that their crops and livestock have been destroyed in the fighting, nearly eliminating many families’ livelihoods for the next year Many have sought refuge with host families in other parts of the country, but those without the means to travel or without families to rely on are left no choice but to find their place in the five main camps established in NWFP; Chota Lahore in Swabi district, which has 469 smaller camps, Jalozai in Peshawar (180km from the capital city Islamabad), Jalala camp and sheikh Shahzad town in Mardan district.

Because the fighting escalated so quickly, many people had to leave everything behind and immediately head for safety. As a result, they were forced to leave behind their crops at harvest time, and they fear that their crops and livestock have been destroyed in the fighting, nearly eliminating many families’ livelihoods for the next year. Some families have also reported having to leave elderly parents behind in the conflict area because they were not strong enough to make the difficult trip to the camps.

This once beautiful valley with lush green mountains has turned into a deadly warzone. Reported indiscriminate shelling by forces and use of citizens as human shields by militant groups has directly threatened innocent lives.

“Although we heard heavy shelling at the start from distant areas we kept our courage high but our women were scared. We tried to make them understand that nothing will happen in our village Nawagai, sub -district Buner, but it was an afternoon a week ago when with a roaring voice a helicopter hovered on our village. I turned pale as I could imagine what will happen to the blossoms of my garden, I mean my beautiful children will suffer”, says Omer Hayat, Manzar’s father.

“We ran hysterically in directions, although nothing happened at that time and helicopter passed away, but we decided to run away from our lovely village finally. Along with my mother, four brothers and their families we left our house as a group of 16 leaving behind our old father who cannot walk properly”, he adds.

...Having my eight-month- old son Mir Zaman in my lap, it was the fear to save our lives that made us rush so fast “It was a nightmare we faced when we started this exhausting journey. Along with my mother-in-law, three pregnant sisters-in-law, we walked 35-40km over treacherous terrain on walking tracks in the mountains. Having my eight-month- old son Mir Zaman in my lap, it was the fear to save our lives that made us rush so fast”, says Manzar’s mother Gul Bibi.

Government and UNHCR staff are struggling to cope with the sheer numbers of families arriving in Chota Lahore camp; now ‘home’ to some 4,000 people, most of whom are women and children.
The number of refugees arriving in the camps could increase dramatically in the coming days if hostilities are not contained, straining the already limited resources in the region. The camps may not be able to keep providing basic services to the families as more and more people flee their homes.

Conditions in the camp are already distressing according to World Vision relief staff who conducted an assessment there to find out the immediate needs of the displaced. Temperatures over 32 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), overcrowding, inadequate toilets, lack of electricity, isolation and inability to find work or purchase basic supplies are exacerbating the misery of those who have already suffered so much.

Chota Lahore is a barren land with a handful of trees in an area of 8,000sq metres. Electricity is available for only 50 tents, and without access to fans or shade, families and particularly girls and women observing ‘Pardah’ who have to cover themselves and remain out of sight of unrelated males, are sweltering in their hot humid tents.

Providing enough clean drinking water and adequate sanitation for so many is the greatest challenge Temperatures will soon increase to 42 degrees Celsius, and apart from the threat of exposure and hydration, there is also the threat of insect and snake bites, which aren’t uncommon in the area. Health services in the camp are very limited.

Providing enough clean drinking water and adequate sanitation for so many is the greatest challenge. The pit latrines are filling up quickly and will become unpleasant in the summer heat.

Psychosocial support is also desperately needed as people cope with the loss of loved ones, loss of their home and possessions and their livelihoods. Reportedly, cases of stress-induced domestic violence are also increasing.

“We boarded a van that charged us 300 times more than what we used to pay in order to reach the camps. We have abandoned our cattle, goats, belongings and crops and in our case our dear father as well. My two nephews were killed in last night’s shelling - they were just 13 years old. One of our relatives told us that their corpses are still lying in the open ground as heavy shelling has prevented us from burying them. I wish, even my enemy won’t face this grim reality as we are mourning with our every breath” further said Omer Hayat.

World Vision is working alongside the local government and other aid agencies to provide relief to an estimated 200,000 people fleeing from the violence. As the aid agency begins to scale up its efforts, the first priority will be food, water, and adequate shelter for the families.

Schooling is being provided to more than 350 children in Chota Lahore camp but more resources will need to be put in place to meet the educational and recreational needs of many others.

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