Buner District – NWFP,

Global Peace Pioneers – NGO® House # 351, Street # 15 G – 10/2, Islamabad, Pakistan. Ph # +0092 51-2290086 Global Peace Pioneers- GPP +0092 51-5875861 July 12-14, 2009 [email protected] www.globalpeace.net.pk

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CONTENTS Page #

Summary 03 Methodology 04 Background 04 Highway to Buner 06 The highways 06 The towns 07 Buner after military operation 07 Civic society and infrastructure 09 Health 09 Recommendations 09 Education 10 Recommendations 10 Infrastructure and economy 11 Modern amenities 11 Highways infrastructure 11 Agriculture 12 Domestic animals 12 Profession of the inhabitants 12 Conclusion 13 Photographs 14

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SUMMARY

Global Peace Pioneers (GPP) has recently sent out its professional team to carry out a rapid assessment of of North West Frontier Province in order to assess the situation of the District after two months of disturbing operation. The GPP team went to Buner to assess current conditions and to assess the returnee process. Different tools were used to gather the information that includes Focus group discussions, open-ended interviews, and semi-structured interviews. Structured observations were also made to document the state of communication, health, education, Food and NFIs and property.

Based on findings from focus group discussions and Findings of the Assessment : open-ended interviews, 1. IDPs who are returning to Buner are doing so primarily to assess their people within Buner property and crops and most of them are not yet planning to shift due to consider that development lack of resources. efforts will be slow and that 2. Tahsils, UCs and roads in Buner were largely destructed and traffic was peace and stability will not visible as people were returning to homes. come in a short span of 3. In Dagar, the hospital has remained functional throughout the operation but limited electricity, ongoing security concerns and looting as well as time. In order to ensure that the emigration of hospital staff have made providing quality healthcare the needs in Buner are difficult. effectively met, GPP 4. Due to limited staff and shortage of medicines the most of rural health recommends immediate and facilities remain closed. sustainable interventions in 5. Medicines and other medical supplies are low all over the district and health, education, water and will be inadequate as more inhabitants return. 6. A majority of the schools in the region have been partially damaged or sanitation, Infrastructure completely destroyed. Remaining schools were mainly either closed or and livelihoods. This empty. includes: ensuring that 7. Water pipelines all over the district have been destroyed, resulting in healthcare facilities are individuals being forced to drink from unhygienic streams. Water borne illnesses, including diarrhea and minor skin diseases, have become equipped with supplies and common. staff, rehabilitating water 8. Much of the district’s basis communications, including electrical lines, supply pipelines and tube phone lines and roads, were destroyed. In the more powerful areas well and sanitation systems, repairs are in progress, however, in the hills and rural area reconstruction rebuilding of hospitals and is critically needed. 9. schools, repairing of In Buner, inhabitants were mainly dependant on agriculture; when forced to leave their homes due to the military operation They missed the mosques and renewing opportunity to harvest crops and plant for this season and the next. self-sufficiency of families in 10. Food items and NFIs is more concern as more IDPs return to their homes.

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order to provide necessary income to rebuild their livelihoods. These efforts will restore the diminished self-confidence of the communities within Buner.

BACKGROUND

The Buner Valley is situated in NWFP. It is a small mountain valley, dotted with villages and divided into seven sub-divisions. The Mora Hills and the Ilam range divide it from the Swat Valley, the Sinawar range from Yusafzai, the Guru Mountains from the Chamla valley, and the Duma range from the Puran Valley. Until the year 2000 it was a part of Malakand Division - until this division was abolished.

District Buner is composed of 27 union councils. Below given table shows the tahsils, UCs and area wise population:

Sr # Tahsil Union Council Population Tootali 20,195 1. Khado Khel Ghorghushtar 17,692 Sarwaiye 16,350 Changlai 15,960 Nawagai 20,755 2. Chamla Koga, 24,481 Maharani 17,991 Amazi 24,112 16895 3. Gagra Gagra 22137 Shalbandai 13355 Norrazai 15520 Raiga 17492 Ealay 24317 4. Dagar Toor Warsak 18730 Karapa 15650 Dagar 21963 Gokandh 14402 Packa kalay 17813 5. Gadazai (Pir Baba) 19810 Ab khel 24770 Malak por 18904 Gadazai 20761 1987 6. Chagharzai Soraiy 2000 Batara 1800 Pandair 2500 TOTAL POPULATION 448,342

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In April 2009, the Taliban took control of Buner, after a short battle with local residents, who were unsupported by the Pakistani army. Self-styled Sharia rules were imposed, including the elimination of video stores, ban on shaving, and the prevention of women from appearing in public places.

A brief two months of calm period in Malakand division due to the peace deal between NWFP government and Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM), was disrupted when the Taliban entered into Buner and concentrated in the district.

This resulted in launching of the Government military operation in Buner. The Taliban were in control of Sultanwas, Dara, Pir Baba, Pacha Kallay, Ambella Pass, Koga and (the areas of Buner). Militants were using routes of Sangar and Karakar Pass for transportation and supply of arsenals from Swat.

Till date (April 28, 2009) the Pakistani Army has launched operation in UC Norizai (Village Dehrai, China, Bar Kalay and Babji Kandaw) UC Gagra (Village Kalpanai, Dewana Baba and Bajkata), UC Elai (Village details are not available), UC Dagar (main bazaar area), UC Koga (Ambila Pass and adjoining areas).

The worst affected areas include Nawagia, Dewana Baba, Gagra, , Ealay, Toor Warsak, Dagar, Gokandh, Paka Kalay, Mali Khel, Malak Pur, Gadazai (Pir baba), Gul bandi, sultanvas and Batara. Regardless of assurances from the government, the local populace and officials contest that insecurity continues to be a major concern. Local elders were of the opinion that the social relationships have been destroyed due to the conflict and they have uncertainty that Buner society will return to the pre-conflict state.

METHODOLOGY

Global Peace Pioneers (GPP) sent a four member’s team to Buner District of North West Frontier Province on July 12 to 14, 2009 to assess the current situation of infrastructure, services and to assess the process of returnees within Buner as well as provide urgently needed services. Rapid assessment tools were used to collect data including: focus groups discussions (FGDs) in three key locations (Sultanwas, Pir baba and Dagar), key informant interviews with officials, and

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open-ended interviews with community leaders, Nazims, and other government functionaries also took place. The team went through Mardan, starting at Rustam Village in Mardan and entered Buner through Ambela and went into Babaji Kandao and onward to Swarai. From Suwari our team continued to Daggar, and ended at Shalbandi Village.

HIGHWAY TO BUNER

The following are observations made by GPP’s team while travelling from Rustam (Mardan) to Daggar via Surkhabai mountain range and then on Ambela Pass via a 40 KM road that connects Ambela (Buner) to Rustam (Mardan). The assessment team passed through Rustam and entered Buner through Ambela and visited the towns of Babaji Kandao, Swarai, Daggar and Shalbandi. During the assessment, the team observed detailed security checks for everyone at established check posts. The team also experienced thorough searches.

 The highways

• During the assessment, the team noticed the flow of traffic as people are returning to Buner. • Bodies of dead animals and destroyed vehicles lay alongside the road leading from Ambela to Daggar. • Security forces have taken positions on the tops of the mountains and are monitoring the flow of vehicles on the highway. • It is generally known among the inhabitants that land mines placed by militants made travel to certain areas (Pir Baba, Batai, upper areas of Gokand Valley and mountainous region of Juwar town) unadvisable.

 The Towns

• Sultanwas faced most destruction due to the operation. The team interviewed those displaced from Sultanwas living in Daggar. The interviewees expressed that most of the Infustructure including houses, health care facilities, schools and government building were damaged or destroyed due to the heavy fighting that took place in this area. • Pir baba and Toor Versak were also among the town worst hit by military shelling. Most homes and some shops were destroyed.

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• Dagar town showed marked improvement during the assessment with open shops. But private Banks and restaurants remained closed. • Shalbandi faced the brunt of militant attacks in recent months, resulting in the death of 44 people in December 2008. Surprisingly, the populace appears to be proceeding with life as normal. The shops in Shalbandi were open and people gathered in the village.

BUNER AFTER MILITARY OPERATION

After more than two months operation, the populace of Swat, Buner and other areas experienced a bit of relief and happiness when Prime Minister of Pakistan announced the IDPs return plan. IDPs return arrangement is divided into the three phases: In 1st Phase those IDPs living in Camps In 2nd phase living in schools and In 3rd Phase those IDPs who are living with hosts and at their own level. Around 47000 families will return from Swabi only.

About 90% destruction is reported in Sultanwas, Pir baba and Toor Versak during the survey. Almost 100% populace of these villages fled to safe places as the military operation was launched. The schools, mosques, crops and communication system were completely destroyed. Now the displaced inhabitants of these areas are coming back and find nothing except debris of what once used to be their erected houses. They are once again made homeless and helpless. They don’t have shelter nor is a roof upon their heads, There not enough food to survive. They immediately and crucially need money to rebuild their damaged homes and to revive their lands.

After the survey, GPP’s Team has selected these areas where Cash for Work (CFW) program can be launched. GPP will support returnees of these areas by initiation of its CFW program. This handful amount will help them back into the normal life. They can reconstruct their homes. They can buy domestic animals which they have lost. Cash will help them to revive their agricultural lands.

Table shows the GPPs Target Areas for the CFW Program S. # Areas Estimated Destruction Displacement Returnees Population Ratio Ratio Ratio 1 Sultanvas 2200 95% 99% 20% 2 Pir Baba 2000 75% 99% 15% 3 Toor Versak 10,000 80% 99% 7% Total 14,200 ------

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Graph show the Total Displacement and No. of returnees

100% Total Displacement 80% No. of Returnees 60%

40%

20%

0% Khado Khel Chamla Gagra Dagar Gadazai Chagharzai Amazai (Pir Baba)

Table shows the repatriation Schedule

S. # Phases Target UCs Areas of IDPs to be Time Line Total No. of IDPs to in Swabi settled in Buner Phase be targeted in First 5 (Host wise (Union Councils Phases of District Families) Names) Buner 1 Phase 1 51 , Nawagai, July 13-19, 2009 11221 Ambella (Bunir) 2 Phase 2 51 Barakaly, Chenca, Chanar July 13-19, 2009 1879 rega, Sunigram, Sowari, Karapa, Nawakaly, Dagar kaly. 3 Phase 3 51 Daggar Pir Baba Zaga, Pir July 13-19, 2009 1026 Abai Ghazi, Khanai Sultanawas, Pir Baba Proper 4 Phase 4 51 Johela, Karakar, Jowai, July 13-19, 2009 1046 Bampokha, Naneer, Legaai, Elaai, Anghapoor, Torwarasak, Kingerali 5 Phase 5 51 Kalpani, Rajkata, Dewana July 13-19, 2009 3510 Baba, Gagra, Kullyari, Matwani, Chagharzi, Budal Bajara, Tanen, Ghazi Banda, Sarqala, Shldika, Bagra, Colmnd, Heer, Gokand, Adjoining Grand Total 18,682

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CIVIC SOCIETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The government has announced repatriation schedule of IDPs and encouraging them to return to Buner District as per plan. GPP’s assessment team observed many families returning to Buner through government provided transport. In order to determine an effective strategy to meet the much anticipated needs of returnees in Buner, GPP collected information on the current state of infrastructure and services. The primary focus was on the education and health sector, however major attention was also paid to infrastructure, livelihood, Water and sanitation, and the economy. Widespread and extensive reconstruction is critically needed in all sectors in Buner, and it is commonly agreed upon that any and all reconstruction will not be successful until security is guaranteed.

 Health

Sultanwas and Toor Versak are worst affected villages in terms of health facilities. People didn’t have any basic health unit or medical dispensary. The patients were taken to Tehsil Dogar or Union Council Pir Baba to get medical help. Now the situation is worst and no health services are available nearby.

The Executive District Officer (EDO) of Health stated that the looting of equipment, medicines, vehicles and other hospital assets by militants has complicated healthcare operations especially in Chamla, Gadezi, Dagar and Gagara. He described widespread loss of goods, and explained that particularly in the Chamla area they did not spare electric bulbs, wires or utensils. According to Medical Officer DHQ Dagar most patients at the hospital also suffered from acute psychological trauma, fear and uncertainty. Re-equipping hospitals with the necessary supplies and medicines will be vital in ensuring that quality operations are implemented.

Recommendations: • Increase access to medicine. The present stock of medicine is sufficient for the present number of patients but will not be enough as more IDPs return. The DHQ hospital Dagar immediately requires essential medicines, medical equipment and supplies. • In-depth assessment of health facilities in conflict areas is required to evaluate re-building needs.

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• Re-building as well as sustainable expansion of the health sector. The pre-conflict health infrastructure was not sufficient to cater to the growing populace of Buner District. • Increase governmental budgetary allocations to the district health sector in wake of the conflict and instability in the region. Included in the increased budget should be extra monetary incentive for the health staff so that they are motivated to stay in post conflict areas and perform their duties. Efforts to target female staff specifically could help rectify the current female capacity problems. • Measures should be taken to boost the preventive health initiatives. • Sustainable psycho-social support and mental health services for the local population to help individuals deal with serious psychological diseases caused by the trauma of displacement.

 Education

Poverty, lack of employment opportunities and geography has always made achieving quality education difficult in Buner. According to 1998 census survey report, the literacy rate in Buner was 38% for men, 7.7% for women which is low as compared to other district of Malakand Division. According to the EDO Education Office, nearly every school in Buner is either partially damaged or completely destroyed. Girls’ schools in particular were targeted by the militants. From focus group discussions, the GPP team learned that in some areas of Gadezi and Daggar Tehsils the militants occupied schools and used them as bunkers, which in turn made them military targets. Similarly the militants also looted schools. They took materials from science laboratories and libraries as well as burned furniture.

Recommendations: • Teachers’ will require some monetary incentives in addition to their salaries so that they are sufficiently motivated to work in conflict-stricken areas. As the District lacks female teachers, target efforts should be made to increase female teacher’s availability. • The district educational sector should allocate funds to rebuilding schools and erecting security walls. According to Provincial Minister for Education, community members believe that the provincial government should fund new educational institutions in mountainous regions

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(Chagharzai, Gokand and Chamla) to ensure that students do not have to walk 4-6 kilometers to school. • Increasing students’ attendance is necessary. A media campaign should be launched to motivate schools attendance and should specifically address the benefits of sending girls to school. Child friendly learning centers (CFLC) project will also help in this connection.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMY

 Modern Amenities

These villages have the benefit of all the modern amenities. Before the operation, government run water supply schemes supplied water in Buner. According to the NWFP Bureau of Statistics, 78% of the district’s population is covered by the government sponsored water supply schemes. During the two month long power breakdown and military shelling, water supply schemes were not functioning in Shalbandi, Diwana Baba, Kalpani, Pir Baba, and Chamla no source of water is easily reachable in these areas. The water tube well pipes were broken. Consequently, people have re-pitching water from open streams. These streams, also used by cattle, are frequently contaminated causing outbreaks of diarrhea and skin diseases among the returnees.

Electricity has not been restored in most of the areas. Electric transformers, electric poles and electric wires are shattered and fallen down on the grounds. Telephone system is non-functional and its wires are fully cracked.

 Highways

The main highway leading from Mardan to Buner and from Swabi to Buner are in relatively good condition, however rural roads are dilapidated. Community members informed the GPP team that the road linking Daggar with Pir Baba was destroyed by military shelling and those roads in Paka Kalay, , Toor Versak areas are still littered with mines.

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 Agriculture

Before the operation, 80% of the local population was dependent on agriculture. They cultivate wheat, maize, rice and tobacco. They used to cultivate wheat in November to May, Maize in July to October and rice July to September. Local population cropped their lands but left in between due to operation. Now the land has been infertile and they don’t have money to purchase seed or other things.

 Domestic animals

Sultanwas and Toor Versak is a farming village and mostly have their livestock. Local people could not accompany all their cattle with them due to dangerous situation so they left the farm animals behind. When IDP’S returned, they found few animals deceased while the most had disappeared.

 Profession of the inhabitants

Most of the inhabitants of Buner District are agriculturist. They cultivate different crops like maize, rice, wheat, tobacco seasonally. About 175 people living in United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and far eastern countries, 25 are teacher (15 female and 10 male) and 15 people were government servant in Buner.

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CONCLUSION

The re-construction of Buner is a huge challenge and much work needs to be done to ensure that peace is back in the district and inhabitants go back to leading their normal lives. GPP observed widespread agreement that if rehabilitation is interrupted by violence, the situation will be unmanageable in the long run. An atmosphere of harmony is crucially required for long term sustainable peace.

As for as returnees are concerned, governmental and non-governmental organizations should co-ordinate and share their efforts to ensure that urgent and tangible steps are taken to ensure that return is safe and durable. The populace of Buner expressed specific dependence on the government, NGOs and other Humanitarian organizations to provide relief and extensive rehabilitation. It will be necessary for international and national organizations to support and reinforce government efforts. Long term interventions in health, education and agriculture should be prioritized to cope with the efforts as the IDPs return home.

GPP has begun supporting the people of Buner through the provision food items, hygiene kits, and student studying kits along with psycho-social services. GPP will also provide support to meet daily life and educational needs of returnees. In this connection GPP has formulated a Child friendly learning center Program (CFLC) and Cash for work Program (CFW). Through the provision of these services, the lives of those affected by this conflict can slowly be rebuilt.

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PHOTOGRAPHS

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