Formation of Humanitarian Network 13^TH May 2009                                                             

A consultative meeting of the civil society organizations of Swat, Shangla, Dir, Malakand, Hazara, Mardan, Swabi and tribal areas was organized at Peshawar on May13, 2009 by Shangla Development Society supported by Sungi Development Foundation. The objectives of the meeting were:

• To discuss the relief situation
• To raise humanitarian issues
• To form a network
• To chalk out a joint action plan for coping with emerging situation.

The meeting was attended by 20 organizations of the above mentioned districts. Each participant briefed the meeting about the ongoing relief activities. Dissatisfaction was expressed by the participants on the available facilities and response to the displaced families, as most of the relief organizations are still in the planning and assessment phase and humanitarian crises faced by the residents of Malakand Division needs urgent response. The participating organizations have been working with the affected communities and highlighted the following issues faced by the IDPs and made recommendations to address these issues.

REGISTRATION:

It has been observed that the present registration process is very slow, as the IDPs wait for long time for their turn after going through a heartbreaking journey. Some of the IDPs who have left their NIC, face difficulty in getting themselves being  egistered. It was suggested that the government must increase the registration  ounters and make them functional for 24 hours a day. It was also suggested that  he registration counters may also be established at the entry points of the district  hich is facing the inflow of the IDPs. Those IDPs which have taken refuge in Punjab, Hazara and other parts of the country are not being registered and arrangements must be made for their registration so that they may be supported.

SHELTER:

The displaced families taking refuge in the camps are facing numerous problems which need to be addressed. The camps are found not to be suitable for the displaced families, as they are provided with only a tent and no other basic necessary items are provided to them. The camps lack adequate clean drinking  ater and sanitation facilities which are causing certain diseases. The camps need to be designed in a manner which addresses the cultural norms of the displaced families. Children must needs to focused more to get them out of trauma they have faced. Lack of electricity in the camps is further increasing the sufferings of the IDPs families in the scorching heat.  The IDPs living in the camps complain of the  uality of food provided to them. 70%  of the displaced families have taken refuge  ith the host communities and are not been given attention by the government and  elief organizations. Those IDPs living with the host mostly are not being registered. These IDPs needed to be given cash grant assistance to reduce their sufferings and burden on the poor hosted communities. As the extreme hot weather, where the  DPs are residing, is increasing the sufferings of the IDPs, it was demanded that the  DPs shall be settled in cooler places and government buildings.

MEDICAL CARE:

The medical care being provide by the government or the relief organizations, is of emergency nature and those IDPs having chronic disease

i.e. heart disease, diabetes, blood pressure and kidney patients etc. are not being provide the medical care they require. The food provided at camps is also uniform and the diet needs of the patients of the above mentioned diseases are not taken   are of which may lead to deteriorating health of

these IDPs.

STRANDED POPULATION:

A large number of the population is stranded in the affected areas due to the ongoing operation and prolong unannounced curfew. The stranded population is facing severe food insecurity. The areas where they are stranded are without any electricity and water for the last many days. It was urged that an environment should be created so that this stranded population is able to leave the area safely. If they are not able to leave the area then arrangement must be made to provide them food.

RELIEF PACKAGE:

The meeting demanded that the affected population should be immediately compensated for the human and financial losses. Arrangements must be made to ensure the payment of salaries to the displaced government and non-government employs and they must be given special emergency allowance. The annual  evelopment funds of the members of the provincial assembly, national assembly and senators of the affected districts must be allocated to the relief of the displaced families.

SECURITY:

Proper security arrangement needs to be put in place for the camps. The participants demanded that the aid workers of the relief organization must be provided insurance coverage by their donor/partner organizations and government must also facilitate their security. The INGOs and donors must share their security updates with the implementing partners.

FORMATION Of HUMANITARIAN NETWORK:                                                                             

The participants of the meeting unanimously decided to form humanitarian network with the objectives:

• To highlight the humanitarian issues.
• To coordinate and facilitate the relief activities.
• To abreast the government and international relief agencies about the emerging situation. 

A committee representing all the districts was formed to carry forward the Network. Shangla Development Society (SDS) was given the role of coordinator of the Humanitarian Network (HN) with active support from Sungi development Foundation. The HN will meet regularly and coordinate with government and relief agencies to facilitate the swift and effective relief activities and raise the issues faced by the displaced community of different forms.

A press conference was held by the Humanitarian Network (HN) at Peshawar Press Club, in which the issues highlighted during the meeting were put before the national press.