SUMMARY
As part of the returns planning matrix, the protection cluster was asked by the Return Task Force (RTF) on 25 February 2015, to conduct a Return Intention Survey (RIS) among 2.500 – 3.000 IDP families of 18 de-notified villages/areas of South Waziristan Agency (SWA).
Responding to this request, and in line with the Return Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) endorsed by the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in February 2012, but also in accordance with the “Return Policy Framework for IDP from FATA” signed by FDMA in 2010, the Protection Cluster and its members agreed to conduct a series of consultations with the displaced population to capture their intentions and position vis-à-vis the announced return process.
It should be understood that the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement are clear on a government’s responsibility to respond to the needs of IDPs during displacement and in displacement until attaining durable solutions, including sustainable returns. However, a government may request assistance from the humanitarian community to assist and facilitate returns.
From 8 – 10 March 2015, enumerators from protection cluster member EHSAR interviewed 164 IDPs at the office of the Political Administration in Tank during a pre-registration exercise of returning families organised by FATA Secretariat.
This report presents the following main findings:
RETURN INTENTIONS
100% of the 164 displaced persons interviewed, indicated their intention to return to their places of origin and all of them left their places of origin more than 18 months ago. 95% of the IDPs interviewed are registered.
The survey revealed that the reasons for wanting to return of consulted IDPs (44% of the respondents), were largely because they feel ‘that it is safe now. 24% are going back because they have no other option while 19% and 13% respectively indicated that ‘it is a good time to rebuild their houses’, and because ‘everybody else is going’.
As for the dynamics of the return within the family, 96% of respondents stated that they intend to return with the whole family. This seems to indicate that family separation/splitting will not be a common trend.
Most vulnerable
In order to facilitate and assist the return of the most vulnerable, questions were asked related to separated or unaccompanied children travelling with the families (99% replied NO); the number of disabled persons (46 out of 164 interviewed) and the elderly (66 out of 164) amongst the IDPs.
The respondents indicated that 30% of the elderly and disabled persons need medical care while 26 % need specialised care.
97% of the respondents replied that they do not have concerns about women returning to their places of origin. Of the 3% who have concerns, 80% stated that the lack of shelter in the return areas are of concern as females have to live with relatives. 20% replied that the lack of education is of concern.