On the first day, the mission visited the New Durrani IDP camp in Central Kurram to meet people who have been displaced for more than six years and will begin returning to their areas of origin within a week. The mission also observed the facilities being provided by the humanitarian community in the camp and appreciated the joint efforts of the Government and humanitarian partners in supporting the displaced people over the past few years. During a Jirga, the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and the acting Head of OCHA reiterated the commitment of the international community to support Government efforts to facilitate the displaced population during their imminent return, said a statement issued here.
The mission observed a stable security situation in the agency, in both areas of return and recently de-notified villages. In the villages of the Musazai tribe, the mission observed that 90 per cent of the IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) had already returned to their dwellings, and that markets in the area were functional. However, shelter in the villages of Khatori tang, Beezadi, Chanay Dara and Zayan had been severely damaged during displacement, preventing families of the Ali Sherazi tribe from returning.
The mission, together with the Political Administration, visited recently de-notified areas of Central Kurram to gain a better understanding of the immediate humanitarian needs of returnees. They then also met with families who returned two years ago to Central Kurram to gather knowledge about their early recovery experience and long-term development needs.
