EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Key Findings and Recommendations:
An Inter-Cluster Assessment Mission was conducted to North Waziristan Agency from 18 to 22 April 2016 to assess the situation of 26 recently de-notified villages. An estimated 15,500 displaced families of Mirali, Spinwam and Miranshah tehsils are expected to return to these areas starting 20 April 2016. These displaced families are currently residing in Baka Khel camp and in host communities mostly in Bannu. They will return through the embarkation point near Baka Khel camp in FR Bannu.
The overall security situation was conducive to returns with the security of the whole area under the full control of the military. Much of the area in Spinwam remains notified meaning that areas that are now denotified are disconnected from other villages and hubs in the area.
The situation in Spinwam tehsil was worse than in Mirali and Miranshah tehsils. Even before displacement there were fewer health, education and other basic services available in the Spinwam. All schools in the areas visited by the mission were partially damaged and non-functional. While there is a recently rehabilitated THQ hospital in Mirali City, this area remains notified. As a result, returning IDPs have little access to healthcare services. Shelter damages are more widespread in Mirali and Miranshah than Spinwam, with an estimated 60 to 80 per cent of rooms uninhabitable. Drinking water supply systems and electricity systems were badly damaged in all areas visited. Returns to Spinwam are expected to start in June/July 2016. The present round of returns to Miranshah and Mirali started on 20 April, two days before the Inter-Cluster Assessment Mission was conducted. The mission team was able to interview some of the IDPs that had already returned.
Recommended priority actions include:
- Establish basic health units or temporary health facilities especially in Mirali and Spinwam
- Provide shelter repair kits in all areas and emergency shelter kits in Mirali and Miranshah
- Establish a humanitarian hub in Mirali
- Establish temporary learning centres in all return areas
- Establish or advocate for the rehabilitation of drinking water supply schemes in Spinwam
- Construct a bridge connecting villages to main Spinwam road
- Disseminate information to all returning IDPs about the return process
