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Government starts process of camp closure in quake zone
10 March 2006
ISLAMABAD: 10 March 06, (UNHCR) With winter coming to an end in Pakistan’s quake
zone, the Pakistan authorities have announced that relief camps will start
closing today, with most camps to be closed by the end of March.
“As lead agency for camp management in this operation, UNHCR recognises the need
for people to rebuild their lives five months after the October 8 tragedy, but
we’ve stressed to the authorities that returns must be informed and voluntary
and that provisions should be made for vulnerable people who cannot return for
the time being,” said Michael Zwack, who heads the Camp Management Cluster under
the joint UN relief effort.
Even before the deadline, some camp dwellers had already gone back on their own.
In North West Frontier Province, some families from Dharra, Kattai and New
Bhogarmang camps have dismantled their tents and taken the relief items they
received back to the Siran Valley. In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, several
dozen families have returned home from Bella Noor Shah camp in Muzaffarabad,
while some heads of households in Bagh’s Namanpura camp have gone on
reconnaissance visits to their homes in Behdi to assess the conditions for
return.
“To ensure that returns are informed and voluntary, our field teams are joining
the Regional Relief Commission and Camp Management Organisation in camps to
discuss return issues with the affected population,” said Zwack. “They tell us
their main concerns are the availability of land, road rehabilitation, shelter,
drinking water and food in their villages.”
The UN refugee agency will contribute to a return package for the quake
survivors once the government and international agencies finalise discussions on
the contents of the package.
Last week, UNHCR handed over to the government the results of the registration
exercise conducted in 170 relief camps in AJK and NWFP. This information on
areas of origin and vulnerable groups can help the government when planning the
return and rehabilitation phase.
Inevitably, there will be some vulnerable people who cannot go home immediately.
“Some are seriously disabled, others are widowed or have lost their land in
landslides,” Zwack noted. “Urban centres like Balakot and Muzaffarabad have been
completely leveled and will take time to rebuild. The authorities are
identifying several camps to house this remaining displaced population while
longer-term solutions are being found for them.”
UNHCR is concluding a survey of vulnerable people in the camps, and will share
the findings with the government once they are finalized. In Muzaffarabad’s
camps, the agency’s staff are identifying people who need prosthetics,
wheelchairs, crutches and walking sticks before their return.
In some camps, ICMC (International Catholic Migration Commission) has started
UNHCR-funded projects like psycho-social counseling and vocational training to
help boost people’s self-reliance after they return home, and for those who will
remain in camps for the time being. Courses include electric work, carpentry,
plumbing, masonry for men; sewing, knitting and embroidery for women.
The Norwegian Refugee Council, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and ICMC
are also setting up legal advice centers and mobile teams in the quake zone to
address legal issues related to return, including rights to land, property and
compensation.
With 134 emergency staff and 60 mobile technical and camp management teams,
UNHCR is currently supporting the Pakistan authorities in caring for more than
147,000 quake survivors living in 153 relief camps with 50 tents and above.
Media Contact: Vivian Tan, Mobile: 0300 500 1133
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