Since the launch of military operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan as many as 863,009 people or 71,075 families registered with the authorities have left the area. Out of these 71,075 families only 61 families or 395 individuals have opted to stay in Main IDPs camp at Baka Khel, District Bannu, officials said. The data available with the Business Recorder shows that 21,707 mobile SIMs provided to the displaced persons have also been activated.
These SIMs have been provided by the federal government to help IDPs contact their near and dear ones. The government also plans to distribute financial assistance among the displaced persons through mobile phones. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has handed over 1,000 tents to deputy commissioner Bannu. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), so far, 71,075 Families (863,009 individuals) have left North Waziristan Agency; and that they have been registered.
Cash aid has been disbursed among 28,846 families. The total amount of cash distributed by SAFRON is Rs 346.152 million. Further financial assistance will be distributed through Zong SIMs only. NDMA has handed over an additional 2,000 tents to FDMA, over 12x3.5kva Generators, 1,500 x Plastic Mats and 24 x 12 Shelters to FDMA. The PDMA KP has handed over 1,000 tents to DC Bannu. About 3,379 food packs have been distributed by Pakistan Army/the UAE and 1,950 Food Packs by the WFP. Total food packs distributed (Army /UAE/WFP): 91,951 Packs. Government of Punjab has sent in 50 truckloads of tents, flour & rice.
About 13,078 non-food item (NFI) distributed by NRC so far. 14,894 NFI kits have been distributed by UNHCR-SRSP. Management has distributed 23,457 Zong SIMs to IDPs. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's livestock department has made several arrangements for the cattle heads of IDPs. PDMA Punjab has provided 4000 food packs, 20 trucks NFI (2000 tents), has sent 8 truckloads of dates and 12 truckloads of wheat on July 4. Pakistan ex-servicemen association has provided 696 ration packs, 704 flour bags, 50 tons of fodder for animals and 240 boxes of medicines. PTCL has donated 1800 food packs, 1798 flour bags (10 kg).
The government has also provided 2,000 tents, out of them 300 have been pitched. Children are being vaccinated for the polio while other health facilities are also being made available in the camp. The federal and provincial governments have also set up 20 registration desks, 4 mobile health units, 20 water tanks, 5 ambulances, 4 NADRA facilitation points, besides free relief distribution points in the area.
So far, the federal government has provided Rs 12,000 per family; and cash to 28,846 families has been distributed by SAFRON, which amounts to Rs 346.152 million. The Norwegian Refugee Council has distributed 13,078 non-food items, the UNHCR-SRSP has distributed 10,574 non-food items kits. A complaint cell for displaced persons has been made functional at Bannu under supervision of KP Minister of Revenue.
The government also expects that the UAE has been sending 50,000 food packs (95 kg each) for the IDPs, while the government of Punjab has announced Rs 50 million from Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the victims of the operation Zarb-e-Azb. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has stepped up efforts to facilitate the affected people. The government has announced a financial relief as compensation to IDPs which was to be disbursed through mobile phone SIM cards.
For this purpose, Zong (China Mobile Pakistan-CMPak) has signed an agreement with Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDA) and it is offering free SIMs to IDPs for seeking speedy relief in a transparent manner. In order to streamline the process of distribution of Zong SIMs among the IDPs, PTA Chairman Dr Ismail Shah has recently sent a team to IDP Centres in Bannu and adjoining areas. Pak Army has established 45 mobile teams to carry out polio and other immunisation campaigns in camps. Also, health facilities are being provided at three major hospitals in Bannu. Three centres have been established to provide aid among more than 80,000 affected people in Dera Ismail Khan. The third phase of food distribution among more than 3,000 families has begun. District administration is also distributing non-food items including crockery, water coolers, mattresses and other goods.
FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) Director Farman Khilji said all basic facilities have been made available in the IDPs' camps. According to a statement issued here, FDMA Director Farman Khilji said five distribution points had been established where food, hygiene kits and cash grants were being given to IDPs. He said proper arrangements had been made for privacy of women and play areas for children in camps.
Farman Khilji said electricity was being provided in camps round-the-clock and doctors were also available. The Director FDMA further said drinking water and ice were available in abundance in camps while sufficient food was also being provided to the IDPs. Responding to a question, he said teams of authorities had administered anti-polio drops to children before their registration on the fringes of North Waziristan.
Khilgi said that about 40 percent area of Miranshah had so far been cleared. He said the operation was going on in a very organised way and the people of the area were co-operating with law enforcement agencies. He said "we have also started a mobile dispensary in the area." Meanwhile, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal has also established a camp for the registration of unattended children.