June 29, 2009

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- The grim scene in the host communities and displacement camps seems to be unending.

Men and women sit idle, unable to return home or to provide for their families in their current living conditions. Without access to food, medical assistance, education and adequate housing, the displaced look lost in a world that should be their own. But without money or income, and no foreseeable employment, the future looks questionable.

The people from the conflict areas of Swat, Buner, and Dir are very independent and self-reliant. A majority of the children attend school unlike in some other areas of Pakistan. The uprooted commonly called internally displaced persons or IDPs -- consist of people from upper, middle, and lower economic classes.

Leaving their homes without money or possessions, the IDPs now face a common dilemma of how to purchase basic necessities including clothing, medicines and perishable food.

Waiting in distribution lines is not possible for elderly or the ill, while many others lack the will or stamina to wait for handouts from the government or humanitarian organizations.

Members of the Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan response team have met many IDPs from middle and lower classes. The displaced often ask about job opportunities. Sentiments vary, but the displaced generally want to be self-sufficient.

The displaced appreciate the government and non-government organizations that provide food and other items; however, they also recognize that the assistance may not last forever. With high uncertainty as to when they can return to their homes and in what condition they will find their property, many of the IDPs are eager for livelihood opportunities.

In host communities such as Swabi and Mardan, a lack of employment opportunities was common even before the influx of IDPs. In a telephone interview with CWS-P/A's Kelli Siddiqui, one woman, a PhD student, said she had no opportunity to complete her studies in Swabi and noted there is not even a college where she can use her education to start teaching.

In the conversation, the woman said, "We are just receiving support; in all of us, there is a malaise because we are receiving food for free." She continued, "We are mentally prepared to get packages from the government and organizations but not jobs. The government should provide us technical or professional jobs so that we can work toward the progress of Swabi and Mardan. It does not need to be high standard but some kind of job."

Earlier on in the conversation, the woman addressed problems she and others will face once they are able to return home -- including the destruction of their fields, hospitals, and other institutions. She said it will be extremely difficult for them to earn income in Swat.

CWS-P/A's Saadia Haq visited IDPs in Mardan and Swabi. Five male IDPs expressed that they would like to see non-governmental organizations focus on providing them with jobs so that they can earn income and provide for their families' immediate needs such as medicine, transportation costs, and helping trapped family members who remained behind.

One IDP from Lower Dir said, "We are not used to standing in the distribution lines, waiting to get food and other supplies. I was so hesitant initially and only forced myself to get food as my children were starving for five days."

He suggested, "If NGOs can provide male members with some small jobs, even working with them in distribution points, for registration of IDPs, and in medical supply centers, and pay us daily wages, then we will have some money in hand and can buy clothing and medicines for our families."

CWS-P/A, based on extensive experience in emergency situations in Pakistan, early on recognized the need for livelihood opportunities at the start of the crisis. In addition to food and non-food item distribution, CWS-P/A plans for livelihood opportunities as part of the emergency response.

In addition to providing the IDPs with activity, as most of them are idle, CWS-P/A aims to equip IDPs with the skills and tools that will help them rebuild their lives after they are able to return to their homes.

Similar to the CWS construction trade training centers that were created after the wake of the destructive 2005 Pakistan earthquake, in which residents acquired and honed trade skills including plumbing, carpentry, electrical, masonry, and welding, the planned vocational training centers situated in host communities will provide skills training and tool kits to the IDPs.

The skilled returnees will be more likely to find jobs related to rebuilding the destroyed hospitals, schools and houses of their communities. Additionally, for those who cannot afford hiring others to rebuild their homes, the skills training will allow them to work themselves for reconstructing and repairing their damaged or destroyed homes.

Vocational training centers for women are also part of CWS-P/A's plan. By working under the tutelage of skilled IDPs employed as teachers in the centers, women can have the opportunity to learn the cutting, stitching and basic embroidery of apparel and houseware items. So they can generate income, participants will be assisted in the marketing of their finished products regionally and nationally.

In addition to skills training and income generation, CWS-P/A recognizes the importance of providing women IDPs with the opportunity to have interaction beyond the confines of their tents or host homes. As a result, it plans to establish "female friendly spaces" for information sharing on issues including health, education, human rights and gender.

While financial support for the initial provision of food and temporary shelter for IDPs was strong, support for ongoing relief and recovery needs including training has been slow in coming, and much more support is needed.

Provision of food, health, and non-food items has been underway since the onset of the displacement. Now, the dire need is for continued emergency distributions as well as for education and livelihood opportunities. As an organization that emphasizes maintaining the dignity of and involving the participation of IDPs in the response, Church World Service has listened to what the IDPs have identified as their needs.

How to help Church World Service is helping to provide food, shelter and medical care for displaced children and families in Pakistan. Contributions to support Church World Service emergency response and recovery efforts may be made online, by phone (800.297.1516), or sent to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.

Media Contact: Lesley Crosson, 212-870-2676 lcrosson@churchworldservice.org