UN report warns of food woes for TDPs returning to Fata

ISLAMABAD: With the government trying to implement the ‘return and rehabilitation strategy’ under which all temporarily displaced persons (TDPs) are supposed to return home by next year, a UN report released on Wednesday warned of fragile food security for those returning to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

The UN report titled “Returning home: livelihoods and food security of Fata returnees” suggested that assistance either through food for work or cash for work modalities could be an important means to enhance food security and create stable assets and support livelihoods.

The report is a joint initiative of the WFP, the FAO and the International Rescue Organisation and was prepared in coordination with the Fata secretariat.

Overall 28 per cent of households have acceptable food consumption, 18pc poor and 54pc borderline consumption with 44pc suffering from calorie deficit.

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The quality of consumed food was also very poor. The report revealed that there were problems of livelihood and food security among the returnees because only 60pc owned agriculture land and annual production was merely sufficient for three-and-a-half months.

The report said that households required other sources of income as well. Agriculture production and livestock ownership had dropped significantly since before the displacement.

The report also emphasised the need for programmes to enhance education and awareness, particularly among women and girls.

The report warned that the returnees to Kurram and Khyber agencies, followed by South Waziristan and Orakzai agencies required immediate assistance to improve their food security, while long-term development programmes were needed for Bajaur and Mohmand returnees.

The returnees required agriculture support in the form of quality seeds and fertilisers, improved irrigation infrastructure and agricultural tools while shelter, medicines, fodder and water for animals was important with regard to livestock support.

Households depended on unstable and variable sources of income such as non-agricultural, unskilled labour which would leave returnees vulnerable.

Almost 90pc of returnees were living in katcha houses and 52pc consumed unsafe drinking water.

Sanitation is a serious concern with 56pc men and 12pc women defecating in the open.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the report, Fata’s Secretary for Planning and Development Shakeel Qadir Khan said the TDP strategy was a successful model being implemented in a structured manner.

WFP Country Director Lola Castro praised the efforts of the government and humanitarian communities in rehabilitating the returnees and providing access to livelihood and social services.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2015