23 July 2009

On 11 July 2009, the Pakistani government formally announced a plan for people to return home following the cessation of fighting in areas around the Swat Valley.

As the return of some 2 million internally displaced persons in the northwest gains momentum, World Vision is concerned for both the right of the displaced to return voluntarily and the need for sustained security and safety in areas of return.

The conflict between government forces and Taliban militants not only caused an unprecedented people movement but also destroyed homes, infrastructure and livelihoods.

“Many people do not know the condition of their village or homes, yet the desire and willingness to return home is strong”, says Edward Kibirige, World Vision Pakistan Response Manager, adding that security is the main concern for families making the decision to return home.

“The government stresses that all returns are voluntary which has been one of the key issues for the humanitarian community,” says Kibirige.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees reportedly signed an agreement with the government to ensure that the decision to return is voluntary and that people are well informed about what the conditions are in the areas of return.

As increasing numbers of people begin to make the return journey home, World Vision and other aid agencies are assessing whether food provisions need to be made available to returnees in their places of origin, as well as other activities focused on the wellbeing of children and recovery of livelihoods.

For some families, however, returning home is still not an option. World Vision and the World Food Programme have provided almost 150,000 displaced people with food provisions in an effort to relieve some of the burden being borne by generous but impoverished host families. The project will provide nearly 25,000 households in Mardan district with wheat, pulses, vegetable oil, salt, sugar and tea until the end of the year.

At a time when the price of staples like wheat is at an all time high as a result of the global food crisis, the food distributions are a welcome relief to both the displaced people and those families struggling to support them.