Rapid Needs Assessment – NWA IDPs in
Bannu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Situation Overview
The Pakistan military forces have conducted airstrikes much earlier than the launch of full-fledged
military operation. The early surgical strikes in February had resulted in displacement of people in
the nearby districts of Bannu, DI Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat and Kohat but in between calm prevailed
and most of the families returned back. On 15 June, the Pakistan government announced a full fledged operation, however initial curfew was relaxed. On 18 June 2014, again the curfew was
relaxed and people were allowed to leave North Waziristan (NWA). As of 26 June, more than 0.4
million people have been displaced, 74 % of them are children and women. In order to track the
fleeing population, FDMA has established an IDP registration point at SAIDGAI check post on BannuMiranshah road and as of 7 July, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Disaster
Management Authority (FDMA) reported the registration of 787,888 individuals. The NWA
displacement Map produced by OCHA is also attached for reference. However the verification
process expects to remove any registration errors, such as duplications, and provide a more accurate
number of those now in displacement.
Objectives of the Assessment
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To establish a good understanding of the current situation of affected areas of district Bannu
in result of North Waziristan IDPs Crisis through consultations with locals, district
government and humanitarian organizations working in the area.
To assess the humanitarian needs of the IDPs population.
To provide clear and authentic recommendations for further launching an inclusive
humanitarian response.
Methodology
The assessment methodology was designed on qualitative methods, tools and techniques to collect
the authentic details for further launching a well coordinated humanitarian response. Team mainly
focused on interviewing the IDPs communities including IDPs committee formed by National
Humanitarian Network through semi structured interviews with brief visits to the offices of local
organizations working in the area, government officials, IDPs committee and Media. These meetings
gave the opportunity to realize the entire perspective in the area.
Assessment Tools and Techniques
Due to the time constraint and panic situation in district Bannu team wasn’t able to conduct the
structured interviews while team used some of the substantial tools along with holding meetings
with all the stakeholders including government authorities to collect the information regarding the
entire situation. Some of the techniques used by the team are as follows:
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Direct Observations
Semi Structured Interviews
Security and Access
Security and accessibility were no challenges for conducting this assessment in the area as well as
security is not a big concern for the local organizations in district Bannu for carrying out the
humanitarian activities. However the government including Pakistan Army and PDMA/FDMA is not
allowing International Agencies to respond directly. Some of local organizations having NHN
membership i.e. IDEA, SABAWOON, Khwaendo Kor, BEST have already launched their humanitarian
projects in the district to Assist North Waziristan IDPs. While working in Bannu shall definitely need
special attention towards security protocols as usually the situation in the said district changes all of
a sudden.
Key Findings and Observations
During IDPs committee meeting having more than 100 participants the IDPs committee and the
participants complained about non availability of transport, traffic congestion due to checking on
check points, and waiting for long hours in hot weather for registration at Bakakhel in FR Bannu. The
harsh hot weather has severely affected women and children, thus causing serious ailments in
children and women. Some of the IDPs travelled from Miranshah to Khost (Afghanistan) and then
from there to Kurram Agency and then to Bannu. The IDPs committee reported that the lack of
transportation has affected specifically children and elderly and persons with disabilities. The
average household size was observed to be 13. The IDPs left their homes in great hurry as they were
given short time to leave the area due to military operation in NWA. They travelled on foot for 24-48
hours to reach Bannu city. It was being observed and reported by the IDPs including IDPs committee
that the condition of IDPs camp established Bannu complex is miserable. There’s in-sufficient space,
no drinking water, no WASH facilities, in-sufficient health services, No feedback or complaint
mechanism at camp. The IDPs requested for ensuring their dignity in this entire situation as the aid
is not being given in dignified manner. The issue of ignoring cultural practices and customs also
exists strongly in the NWA IDPs crisis. There are no separate distribution points for women however
the staff and security personnel are also not following the cultural norms. This serious issue can
make women more vulnerable as the men will not allow them to come to the distribution points.
The IDPs committee raised this issue very rigidly and it was communicated straight forward by them
that they will not accept this kind of disgusting practices at any cost.
Immediate Humanitarian Needs
WASH Needs
Water and sanitation facilities are immediately needed in and off camps, particularly in schools and
hosting communities where IDPs have taken refuge. Health Hygiene kits, Hygiene awareness
sessions Need to be conducted on critical WASH related information.
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Hand Pumps installation, water storage tanks at host communities required
IDPs face problems accessing wash facilities in schools.
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The women and girls have demanded for separate toilets and washrooms. As the men and
women are using the same toilets.
Minor repairs for water and sanitation facilities in schools in Bannu are required. This
includes replacement of pipes, removal of latrine blockage, tap replacement and repair, and
cleaning of water storage tanks.
Insecticides and pesticides should be sprayed in the schools as the IDPs sleep on floor and
they are bitten by the insects all night.
Shelter and NFIs Needs
 Displaced families are requesting additional NFIs, such as clothes, bangles, mehndi for
children, elders, women for upcoming EID festival, tents, electric fans, hand fans, solar
electric bulbs, emergency lights pillows and beds, Kitchen, gas cylinders, cooking stoves
(tandoors – for cooking bread/roti) sets. And the most important feeders for the infants so
that their mother could feed their infants/small children
 Women sanitary kits should also be provided
 Heat powders to save from hot weather are needed
 Mosquito repellent are needed
Health Needs
 Psycho social support for mothers and children is required
 Random sampling for water quality testing from various water sources
 Chlorination of water is needed to avoid water borne diseases
 Bed nets and mosquito repellents are urgently needed.
 Baby Foods are required (Cerelac, Lactogens etc)
 Life-saving medicines and medical supplies are needed in the IDP hosting districts including
Mother and Child Health (MnCH) and Reproductive Health (RH) services.
 The health facilities (Infrastructure, Human Resource) are not sufficient for providing relief
to the IDPs
 Health promotion: health and hygiene awareness, water quality monitoring and control.
 Lack of appropriate healthcare for pregnant and lactating mothers.
Recommendations
After conducting the rapid assessment the recommendations for providing humanitarian assistance
to the IDPs communities are as follows:
Relief Activities
 Provision of Cash for Choice to the affected communities
 Provision of Shelter kits especially designed for hot weather and including medicated
mosquito nets
 Free Medical Camp
 Distribution of Kitchen Utensils Kits and Jerry Cans
 Clothes for Children
 The interventions in the entire WASH sector should be made to provide humanitarian
assistance as well as minimize the future hazards.