Background:
The security operation in South Waziristan Agency in 2009 led to an exodus of 43,000 families (258,000 people) from the Mehsud tribe. Majority of the IDP population have taken refuge in the adjoining districts of DI Khan and Tank. There is no IDP camp established in DI Khan/Tank, and therefore all the IDPs are living with host communities. An additional 26,000 families were enlisted in Jan 2013. Pakistan army claims to have completed its operation in the area and is reportedly conducting search operations. Since 2010, some 11,900 families have returned back to the de-notified areas, however no return took place during 2014.
The humanitarian community have played a vital role in provision of assistance in terms of food, shelter/NFIs, WASH, health, Nutrition and livelihood to support return, and help sustain the population to resettle. As a follow up to the inter-agency security mission, the Inter - Cluster Assessment Mission to South Waziristan Agency was conducted between 9 and 12 March, 2015.
The mission met with the Military, Political Administration, line departments and local elders to assess the needs/gaps in services, the possibilities of return of IDPs back to their places of origin and the potential of humanitarian operations.
Objective of the mission:
The purpose of the rapid assessment was to:
Determine whether the proposed return areas are appropriate for the resettlement of population; and,
Gather information on the status of returnees, and quality, and quantity of services provided in the Agency to depict a basic profile of the humanitarian situation in these areas in view of planning short- and medium-term operations.
The authorities plan to facilitate the return of IDPs to 18 villages of Tehsil Serwakai and Sararogha, 11 villages (Reshawra, Mouley Khan Serai, Dand Kuch Deeba, Lower Madi Jan, Old Serwakai, Shinwarsak, Pir Kalay, Kar Tungai, Pastay, Sherana Danawat) were situated in Tehsil Serwakai, while 6 villages (Dittawala, Madikai, Spedorai, Zinkai, Sol Pangai, and Gardai) were in Tehsil Sararogha. Only 1 village i.e Gari Zai has no return.