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Buner District – NWFP, Pakistan
Global Peace Pioneers – NGO®
House # 351, Street # 15
G – 10/2, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Ph # +0092 51-2290086 Global Peace Pioneers- GPP
+0092 51-5875861 July 12-14, 2009
www.globalpeace.net.pk
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CONTENTS Page #
Summary 03
Methodology 04
Background 04
Highway to Buner 06
The highways 06
The towns 07
Buner after military operation 07
Civic society and infrastructure 09
Health 09
Recommendations 09
Education 10
Recommendations 10
Infrastructure and economy 11
Modern amenities 11
Highways infrastructure 11
Agriculture 12
Domestic animals 12
Profession of the inhabitants 12
Conclusion 13
Photographs 14
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SUMMARY
Global Peace Pioneers (GPP) has recently sent out its professional team to carry
out a rapid assessment of Buner District of North West Frontier Province in order
to assess the situation of the District after two months of disturbing operation.
The GPP team went to Buner to assess current conditions and to assess the
returnee process. Different tools were used to gather the information that
includes Focus group discussions, open-ended interviews, and semi-structured
interviews. Structured observations were also made to document the state of
communication, health, education, Food and NFIs and property.
Based on findings from
focus group discussions and
open-ended interviews,
people within Buner
consider that development
efforts will be slow and that
peace and stability will not
come in a short span of
time. In order to ensure that
the needs in Buner are
effectively met, GPP
recommends immediate and
sustainable interventions in
health, education, water and
sanitation, Infrastructure
and livelihoods. This
includes: ensuring that
healthcare facilities are
equipped with supplies and
staff, rehabilitating water
supply pipelines and tube
well and sanitation systems,
rebuilding of hospitals and
schools, repairing of
mosques and renewing
self-sufficiency of families in
Findings of the Assessment:
1. IDPs who are returning to Buner are doing so primarily to assess their
property and crops and most of them are not yet planning to shift due to
lack of resources.
2. Tahsils, UCs and roads in Buner were largely destructed and traffic was
visible as people were returning to homes.
3. In Dagar, the hospital has remained functional throughout the operation
but limited electricity, ongoing security concerns and looting as well as
the emigration of hospital staff have made providing quality healthcare
difficult.
4. Due to limited staff and shortage of medicines the most of rural health
facilities remain closed.
5. Medicines and other medical supplies are low all over the district and
will be inadequate as more inhabitants return.
6. A majority of the schools in the region have been partially damaged or
completely destroyed. Remaining schools were mainly either closed or
empty.
7. Water pipelines all over the district have been destroyed, resulting in
individuals being forced to drink from unhygienic streams. Water borne
illnesses, including diarrhea and minor skin diseases, have become
common.
8. Much of the district’s basis communications, including electrical lines,
phone lines and roads, were destroyed. In the more powerful areas
repairs are in progress, however, in the hills and rural area reconstruction
is critically needed.
9. In Buner, inhabitants were mainly dependant on agriculture; when
forced to leave their homes due to the military operation They missed the
opportunity to harvest crops and plant for this season and the next.
10. Food items and NFIs is more concern as more IDPs return to their homes.
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order to provide necessary income to rebuild their livelihoods. These efforts will
restore the diminished self-confidence of the communities within Buner.
BACKGROUND
The Buner Valley is situated in NWFP. It is a small mountain valley, dotted with
villages and divided into seven sub-divisions. The Mora Hills and the Ilam range
divide it from the Swat Valley, the Sinawar range from Yusafzai, the Guru
Mountains from the Chamla valley, and the Duma range from the Puran Valley.
Until the year 2000 it was a part of Malakand Division - until this division was
abolished.
District Buner is composed of 27 union councils. Below given table shows the
tahsils, UCs and area wise population:
Sr # Tahsil Union Council Population
Tootali 20,195
Ghorghushtar 17,692
Sarwaiye 16,350
1.
Khado Khel
Changlai 15,960
Nawagai 20,755
Koga, 24,481
Maharani 17,991
2.
Chamla Amazai
Amazi 24,112
Dewana Baba 16895
Gagra 22137
Shalbandai 13355
Norrazai 15520
3.
Gagra
Raiga 17492
Ealay 24317
Toor Warsak 18730
Karapa 15650
Dagar 21963
4.
Dagar
Gokandh 14402
Packa kalay 17813
Mali khel 19810
Ab khel 24770
Malak por 18904
5.
Gadazai (Pir Baba)
Gadazai 20761
Gul Bandai 1987
Soraiy 2000
Batara 1800
6.
Chagharzai
Pandair 2500
TOTAL POPULATION 448,342
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In April 2009, the Taliban took control of Buner, after a short battle with local
residents, who were unsupported by the Pakistani army. Self-styled Sharia rules
were imposed, including the elimination of video stores, ban on shaving, and the
prevention of women from appearing in public places.
A brief two months of calm period in Malakand division due to the peace deal
between NWFP government and Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi
(TNSM), was disrupted when the Taliban entered into Buner and concentrated in
the district.
This resulted in launching of the Government military operation in Buner. The
Taliban were in control of Sultanwas, Gokand Dara, Pir Baba, Pacha Kallay,
Ambella Pass, Koga and Chinglai (the areas of Buner). Militants were using
routes of Sangar and Karakar Pass for transportation and supply of arsenals from
Swat.
Till date (April 28, 2009) the Pakistani Army has launched operation in UC
Norizai (Village Dehrai, China, Bar Kalay and Babji Kandaw) UC Gagra (Village
Kalpanai, Dewana Baba and Bajkata), UC Elai (Village details are not available),
UC Dagar (main bazaar area), UC Koga (Ambila Pass and adjoining areas).
The worst affected areas include Nawagia, Dewana Baba, Gagra, Shalbandi,
Ealay, Toor Warsak, Dagar, Gokandh, Paka Kalay, Mali Khel, Malak Pur,
Gadazai (Pir baba), Gul bandi, sultanvas and Batara. Regardless of assurances
from the government, the local populace and officials contest that insecurity
continues to be a major concern. Local elders were of the opinion that the social
relationships have been destroyed due to the conflict and they have uncertainty
that Buner society will return to the pre-conflict state.
METHODOLOGY
Global Peace Pioneers (GPP) sent a four member’s team to Buner District of
North West Frontier Province on July 12 to 14, 2009 to assess the current situation
of infrastructure, services and to assess the process of returnees within Buner as
well as provide urgently needed services. Rapid assessment tools were used to
collect data including: focus groups discussions (FGDs) in three key locations
(Sultanwas, Pir baba and Dagar), key informant interviews with officials, and
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open-ended interviews with community leaders, Nazims, and other government
functionaries also took place. The team went through Mardan, starting at Rustam
Village in Mardan and entered Buner through Ambela and went into Babaji
Kandao and onward to Swarai. From Suwari our team continued to Daggar, and
ended at Shalbandi Village.
HIGHWAY TO BUNER
The following are observations made by GPP’s team while travelling from
Rustam (Mardan) to Daggar via Surkhabai mountain range and then on Ambela
Pass via a 40 KM road that connects Ambela (Buner) to Rustam (Mardan). The
assessment team passed through Rustam and entered Buner through Ambela
and visited the towns of Babaji Kandao, Swarai, Daggar and Shalbandi. During
the assessment, the team observed detailed security checks for everyone at
established check posts. The team also experienced thorough searches.
� The highways
• During the assessment, the team noticed the flow of traffic as people are
returning to Buner.
• Bodies of dead animals and destroyed vehicles lay alongside the road
leading from Ambela to Daggar.
• Security forces have taken positions on the tops of the mountains and are
monitoring the flow of vehicles on the highway.
• It is generally known among the inhabitants that land mines placed by
militants made travel to certain areas (Pir Baba, Batai, upper areas of
Gokand Valley and mountainous region of Juwar town) unadvisable.
� The Towns
• Sultanwas faced most destruction due to the operation. The team
interviewed those displaced from Sultanwas living in Daggar. The
interviewees expressed that most of the Infustructure including houses,
health care facilities, schools and government building were damaged or
destroyed due to the heavy fighting that took place in this area.
• Pir baba and Toor Versak were also among the town worst hit by military
shelling. Most homes and some shops were destroyed.
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• Dagar town showed marked improvement during the assessment with
open shops. But private Banks and restaurants remained closed.
• Shalbandi faced the brunt of militant attacks in recent months, resulting in
the death of 44 people in December 2008. Surprisingly, the populace
appears to be proceeding with life as normal. The shops in Shalbandi were
open and people gathered in the village.
BUNER AFTER MILITARY OPERATION
After more than two months operation, the populace of Swat, Buner and other
areas experienced a bit of relief and happiness when Prime Minister of Pakistan
announced the IDPs return plan. IDPs return arrangement is divided into the
three phases:
In 1st Phase those IDPs living in Camps
In 2nd phase living in schools and
In 3rd Phase those IDPs who are living with hosts and at their own level. Around
47000 families will return from Swabi only.
About 90% destruction is reported in Sultanwas, Pir baba and Toor Versak
during the survey. Almost 100% populace of these villages fled to safe places as
the military operation was launched. The schools, mosques, crops and
communication system were completely destroyed. Now the displaced
inhabitants of these areas are coming back and find nothing except debris of
what once used to be their erected houses. They are once again made homeless
and helpless. They don’t have shelter nor is a roof upon their heads, There not
enough food to survive. They immediately and crucially need money to rebuild
their damaged homes and to revive their lands.
After the survey, GPP’s Team has selected these areas where Cash for Work
(CFW) program can be launched. GPP will support returnees of these areas by
initiation of its CFW program. This handful amount will help them back into the
normal life. They can reconstruct their homes. They can buy domestic animals
which they have lost. Cash will help them to revive their agricultural lands.
Table shows the GPPs Target Areas for the CFW Program
S. # Areas Estimated
Population
Destruction
Ratio
Displacement
Ratio
Returnees
Ratio
1 Sultanvas 2200 95% 99% 20%
2 Pir Baba 2000 75% 99% 15%
3 Toor Versak 10,000 80% 99% 7%
Total 14,200 -- -- --
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Graph show the Total Displacement and No. of returnees
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Khado Khel Chamla
Amazai
Gagra Dagar Gadazai
(Pir Baba)
Chagharzai
Total Displacement
No. of Returnees
Table shows the repatriation Schedule
S. # Phases Target UCs
in Swabi
(Host
Families)
Areas of IDPs to be
settled in Buner Phase
wise (Union Councils
Names)
Time Line Total No. of IDPs to
be targeted in First 5
Phases of District
Buner
1 Phase 1 51 Totalai, Nawagai,
Ambella (Bunir)
July 13-19, 2009 11221
2 Phase 2 51 Barakaly, Chenca, Chanar
rega, Sunigram, Sowari,
Karapa, Nawakaly, Dagar
kaly.
July 13-19, 2009 1879
3 Phase 3 51 Daggar Pir Baba Zaga, Pir
Abai Ghazi, Khanai
Sultanawas, Pir Baba
Proper
July 13-19, 2009 1026
4 Phase 4 51 Johela, Karakar, Jowai,
Bampokha, Naneer,
Legaai, Elaai, Anghapoor,
Torwarasak, Kingerali
July 13-19, 2009 1046
5 Phase 5 51 Kalpani, Rajkata, Dewana
Baba, Gagra, Kullyari,
Matwani, Chagharzi,
Budal Bajara, Tanen,
Ghazi Banda, Sarqala,
Shldika, Bagra, Colmnd,
Heer, Gokand, Adjoining
July 13-19, 2009 3510
Grand Total 18,682
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CIVIC SOCIETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
The government has announced repatriation schedule of IDPs and encouraging
them to return to Buner District as per plan. GPP’s assessment team observed
many families returning to Buner through government provided transport. In
order to determine an effective strategy to meet the much anticipated needs of
returnees in Buner, GPP collected information on the current state of
infrastructure and services. The primary focus was on the education and health
sector, however major attention was also paid to infrastructure, livelihood, Water
and sanitation, and the economy. Widespread and extensive reconstruction is
critically needed in all sectors in Buner, and it is commonly agreed upon that any
and all reconstruction will not be successful until security is guaranteed.
� Health
Sultanwas and Toor Versak are worst affected villages in terms of health
facilities. People didn’t have any basic health unit or medical dispensary. The
patients were taken to Tehsil Dogar or Union Council Pir Baba to get medical
help. Now the situation is worst and no health services are available nearby.
The Executive District Officer (EDO) of Health stated that the looting of
equipment, medicines, vehicles and other hospital assets by militants has
complicated healthcare operations especially in Chamla, Gadezi, Dagar and
Gagara. He described widespread loss of goods, and explained that particularly
in the Chamla area they did not spare electric bulbs, wires or utensils. According
to Medical Officer DHQ Dagar most patients at the hospital also suffered from
acute psychological trauma, fear and uncertainty. Re-equipping hospitals with
the necessary supplies and medicines will be vital in ensuring that quality
operations are implemented.
Recommendations: • Increase access to medicine. The present stock of medicine is sufficient for
the present number of patients but will not be enough as more IDPs
return. The DHQ hospital Dagar immediately requires essential
medicines, medical equipment and supplies.
• In-depth assessment of health facilities in conflict areas is required to
evaluate re-building needs.
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• Re-building as well as sustainable expansion of the health sector. The
pre-conflict health infrastructure was not sufficient to cater to the growing
populace of Buner District.
• Increase governmental budgetary allocations to the district health sector
in wake of the conflict and instability in the region. Included in the
increased budget should be extra monetary incentive for the health staff
so that they are motivated to stay in post conflict areas and perform their
duties. Efforts to target female staff specifically could help rectify the
current female capacity problems.
• Measures should be taken to boost the preventive health initiatives.
• Sustainable psycho-social support and mental health services for the local
population to help individuals deal with serious psychological diseases
caused by the trauma of displacement.
� Education
Poverty, lack of employment opportunities and geography has always made
achieving quality education difficult in Buner. According to 1998 census survey
report, the literacy rate in Buner was 38% for men, 7.7% for women which is low
as compared to other district of Malakand Division. According to the EDO
Education Office, nearly every school in Buner is either partially damaged or
completely destroyed. Girls’ schools in particular were targeted by the militants.
From focus group discussions, the GPP team learned that in some areas of
Gadezi and Daggar Tehsils the militants occupied schools and used them as
bunkers, which in turn made them military targets. Similarly the militants also
looted schools. They took materials from science laboratories and libraries as
well as burned furniture.
Recommendations: • Teachers’ will require some monetary incentives in addition to their
salaries so that they are sufficiently motivated to work in conflict-stricken
areas. As the District lacks female teachers, target efforts should be made
to increase female teacher’s availability.
• The district educational sector should allocate funds to rebuilding schools
and erecting security walls. According to Provincial Minister for
Education, community members believe that the provincial government
should fund new educational institutions in mountainous regions
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(Chagharzai, Gokand and Chamla) to ensure that students do not have to
walk 4-6 kilometers to school.
• Increasing students’ attendance is necessary. A media campaign should be
launched to motivate schools attendance and should specifically address
the benefits of sending girls to school. Child friendly learning centers
(CFLC) project will also help in this connection.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMY
� Modern Amenities
These villages have the benefit of all the modern amenities. Before the operation,
government run water supply schemes supplied water in Buner. According to
the NWFP Bureau of Statistics, 78% of the district’s population is covered by the
government sponsored water supply schemes. During the two month long
power breakdown and military shelling, water supply schemes were not
functioning in Shalbandi, Diwana Baba, Kalpani, Pir Baba, and Chamla no source
of water is easily reachable in these areas. The water tube well pipes were
broken. Consequently, people have re-pitching water from open streams. These
streams, also used by cattle, are frequently contaminated causing outbreaks of
diarrhea and skin diseases among the returnees.
Electricity has not been restored in most of the areas. Electric transformers,
electric poles and electric wires are shattered and fallen down on the grounds.
Telephone system is non-functional and its wires are fully cracked.
� Highways
The main highway leading from Mardan to Buner and from Swabi to Buner are
in relatively good condition, however rural roads are dilapidated. Community
members informed the GPP team that the road linking Daggar with Pir Baba was
destroyed by military shelling and those roads in Paka Kalay, Gadezai, Toor
Versak areas are still littered with mines.
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� Agriculture
Before the operation, 80% of the local population was dependent on agriculture.
They cultivate wheat, maize, rice and tobacco. They used to cultivate wheat in
November to May, Maize in July to October and rice July to September. Local
population cropped their lands but left in between due to operation. Now the
land has been infertile and they don’t have money to purchase seed or other
things.
� Domestic animals
Sultanwas and Toor Versak is a farming village and mostly have their livestock.
Local people could not accompany all their cattle with them due to dangerous
situation so they left the farm animals behind. When IDP’S returned, they found
few animals deceased while the most had disappeared.
� Profession of the inhabitants
Most of the inhabitants of Buner District are agriculturist. They cultivate different
crops like maize, rice, wheat, tobacco seasonally. About 175 people living in
United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and far eastern countries, 25 are teacher (15
female and 10 male) and 15 people were government servant in Buner.
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CONCLUSION
The re-construction of Buner is a huge challenge and much work needs to be
done to ensure that peace is back in the district and inhabitants go back to
leading their normal lives. GPP observed widespread agreement that if
rehabilitation is interrupted by violence, the situation will be unmanageable in
the long run. An atmosphere of harmony is crucially required for long term
sustainable peace.
As for as returnees are concerned, governmental and non-governmental
organizations should co-ordinate and share their efforts to ensure that urgent
and tangible steps are taken to ensure that return is safe and durable. The
populace of Buner expressed specific dependence on the government, NGOs and
other Humanitarian organizations to provide relief and extensive rehabilitation.
It will be necessary for international and national organizations to support and
reinforce government efforts. Long term interventions in health, education and
agriculture should be prioritized to cope with the efforts as the IDPs return
home.
GPP has begun supporting the people of Buner through the provision food
items, hygiene kits, and student studying kits along with psycho-social services.
GPP will also provide support to meet daily life and educational needs of
returnees. In this connection GPP has formulated a Child friendly learning center
Program (CFLC) and Cash for work Program (CFW). Through the provision of
these services, the lives of those affected by this conflict can slowly be rebuilt.
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PHOTOGRAPHS
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