Rapid Need Assessment Report of NWA IDPs Bannu Human Resource Development Society 1 Background The Pakistan military forces have conducted airstrikes much earlier than the launch of full-fledged military operation. The early surgical strikes in February had resulted in displacement of people in the nearby districts of Bannu, DI Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat and Kohat but in between calm prevailed and most of the families returned back. On 15 June, the Pakistan government announced a full-fledged operation, however initial curfew was relaxed. On 18 June 2014, again the curfew was relaxed and people were allowed to leave North Waziristan (NWA). As of 26 June, more than 0.4 million people have been displaced, 74 % of them are children and women. In order to track the fleeing population, FDMA established IDP registration point at Saidgai check post on Bannu-Miranshah road and as of 26 June, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) has reported registering 457,095 IDPs- amongst them 192, 655 children and 144, 134 women ( in total 36,938 registered families). The area has been reportedly notified as conflict affected (even though the official notification has not yet been shared with humanitarian community), and so far the government has been leading the response with starting support from humanitarian community. It remains imperative that the protection cluster is able to continue monitoring, assessing and reporting on the situation of NWA IDPs as per its mandate. From 26 to 29 June, HRDS conducted focus group discussions and key informants’ interviews in Bannu, UC Barat 1, Tehsil Bannu UC Kakki 1 Kakki 2, Tehsil Kakki, UC Zerak Pirba Khel and Khande Khan Khel Tehsil Domel. Interviews were conducted in three Tehsils of Bannu, Bannu, Kakki and Domel. S.No UC Name Tehsil District IDPs HH Male Female Children 1 Barat 1 Bannu Bannu 170 510 650 1105 2 Kakki 1 Kakki Bannu 330 1130 1564 2140 3 Kakki 2 Kakki Bannu 135 375 419 630 4 Zeraki Pirba Khel Domel Bannu 537 1330 1840 2270 5 Khander Khan Domel Bannu 570 1300 1450 2730 Khel Findings Displacement patterns According to the findings during the FGDs and KIs at different points in Bannu, the estimated populations displaced in specific villages where IDPs reside currently are varied from 500-5000 families per area with overall estimate of the figure reaching 30,000 to 45,000 families. The findings of the FGDs and key informants interviews revealed that the displacement has been escalated after the break announced in the curfew. Reportedly 98% of the population left their homes on short notice, as the government has ordered evacuation of the local population from NWA due to ongoing military operation against the non- state actors. Only 2 % of the population left North Waziristan since more than one month ago. All respondents indicated that the number of IDPs is still increasing. A huge majority of the respondents complained about non availability of transport, traffic congestion due to checking on check points, and waiting for long hours in hot weather for registration at Bakakhel in FR Bannu. The harsh hot weather has severely affected women and children, thus causing serious 2 ailments in children and women. The respondents reported that the lack of transportation has affected specifically children and elderly and persons with disabilities. IDPs have very nominal or no information about the registration process and access to assistance. Reportedly 96% of the population left the area of origin while 4% of the respondents indicated that some family members stayed behind in the area of origin to look after the property and some families could not leave North Waziristan because of lack of funds for transport facilities. Overall, 74 % of interviewed families indicated they stay together with all family members, while 26 % had to split. Overall observation of respondents was that amongst the displaced population, there is more women (56%), followed by women and children both (25 %), children (7 %) and 11 % had impression that the whole families are fleeing out of North Waziristan. 95 % of the respondents reported that they were registered at the registration point and their details were recorded by the authorities. 5% were not registered nor enlisted. These assessment results portray the situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from South Waziristan Agency who are residing in Bannu District. Of the 300 displaced households surveyed, most have come from Miran Shah, North Waziristan, Dawarh, Mir Ali, Sohail Kaley. The average household size was found to be 13; importantly, children constitute 72 percent of the household size, and 90 percent of households are male-headed. Eighty percent of households are registered as IDPs; for the 20 percent who are not registered, the main reasons cited were that there were issues related to women (i.e. families would not bring or send women to registration points), they missed the registration date, or they do not have a Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC). Objectives of assessment Main Objective To assess the priority needs of and potential solutions for complex emergency affected IDPs and stayees communities in different localities of Bannu, through a participatory process involving these communities and key local stakeholders. Specific Objectives 1. To determine the general demographics of the population in each selected UC of Bannu. 2. To know the basic needs of the affected population. Methodology of assessment Data collection To cover all the above objectives, HRDS programme team used two data collection methods stated below, the different objectives were segregated according to data collection methods: 1) Secondary data collection – HRDS reviewed available sources of data to gather this information. 3 2) Focus group discussions with target communities – HRDS used this to triangulate and verify the data collected from secondary sources, as well as to fill any information gaps identified. 3) Vernacular shelter study (VSS) – HRDS conducted community visits at the same time as FGDs to enable assessment of available and potential shelter techniques. This has been conducted on an observation basis and as such no particular tool exists for this part of the assessment programme team. Sample Size Assuming a confidence level of 95 percent, co-efficient of variance as 40 percent, and margin for error as 5 percent. Sampling Strategy Due to time constraints, considerations for design effect were not taken into account as it could have further increased the sample size. Also, instead of using a probability-to-proportion of the size (PPS) of cluster method, which is normally used for household surveys, 5 UCs with the highest concentration of IDPs were purposely selected, and one village with the highest IDP concentration was selected from each UC. Finally, 10 displaced households were randomly selected and interviewed from each target village. The primary data for the study was collected through a structured household-level questionnaire, with respondents being mainly household heads and key female household members. However, a few questions were left open-ended in order to gather IDPs’ general perceptions. Area of Origin of IDPs and Time Displaced Most of the IDPs interviewed belong to different crisis-hit areas of North Waziristan, primarily Mir Ali, Sohail Kaley. Their time since displacement varies from month to twelve months. WASH Access to water was reported to be problematic by a majority of households. 57% of households reported that they had experienced water shortages severe enough to have a serious impact on their standard of living. Despite the majority of households, 60%, reporting that they had access to sanitation facilities in their home prior to NWA, the remaining 40% reported that the latrines are available but nonfunctional due to scarcity of water therefore they had no access. As a result, WASH interventions, particularly the construction of appropriate latrine facilities, should be integrated into future shelter responses targeting households currently resident in evacuation centers, the IDPs whose are residing in Schools, BHUs or any other govt. buildings. Separated wash facilities for women were missing according to 72 % of interviewed IDPs at the registration point. Food consumption Wheat products (followed by potatoes and lentils) are the most frequently consumed commodity. Most households purchase or borrow food, and only 20 percent of households are receiving food aid. Most household members are eating three meals on average, including children less than six months, who are reportedly being fed only three times a day. In terms of food resources, 57 percent of households do not have any food stocks, while 31 percent have less than one week of food stock. It is important to note that 76 percent of households stated that there was at least one incidence when they didn’t have money to buy food or meet other household expenses. 4 Vulnerability and protection concerns Vulnerable children are residing in a considerable number of households 10 percent reported supporting orphans, and nearly 10 percent reported supporting children who have lost one parent. Also, 17 percent reported supporting a mentally or physically disabled child. In addition, 6 percent of households reported caring for a separated child, and 5 percent of households reported that one of their children is missing or separated. Regarding vulnerable adults, 17 percent of households reported supporting a physically or mentally disabled adult, and at least 11 percent of households include an adult with a chronic illness. In all categories, more households reported supporting vulnerable males than vulnerable females. Additionally, 16 percent of households stated that there has been an increase in physical punishment of women at home. Psychosocial conditions Most displaced children have few opportunities for recreation – 75 percent of households shared that children don’t have a place to play, and 68 percent said there are no group activities available to children.