Pakistani quake survivors’ return home from relief camps must be voluntary – UN

With Pakistan starting today to close relief camps for nearly 150,000 survivors of last October’s devastating earthquake as winter draws to an end, the United Nations refugee agency called on the authorities to ensure that all returns to home areas are voluntary and informed.

“Our field teams are joining the Regional Relief Commission and Camp Management Organization in camps to discuss return issues with the affected population,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesperson Jennifer Pagonis told a news briefing in Geneva. “They tell us their main concerns are the availability of land, road rehabilitation, shelter, drinking water and food in their villages.”

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. The quake killed more than 73,000 people, injured nearly 70,000 and left millions homeless.

“As lead agency for camp management in this operation, UNHCR recognizes the need for people to rebuild their lives five months after the October 8, 2005 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,” Ms. Pagonis said.

UNHCR will contribute to a return package for the quake survivors once the government and international agencies finalise discussions on the contents of the package.

Even before the deadline, some camp dwellers had already returned on their own accord. 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 North West Frontier Province. Several dozen families have also returned home from Bella Noor Shah camp in Muzaffarabad, while some heads of households in Bagh’s Namanpura camp have gone on “go and see” visits to their homes in Behdi to assess the conditions for return.

But inevitably, there will be some vulnerable people who cannot go home immediately, including those who are seriously disabled, widowed or have lost their land in landslides, Ms. Pagonis said. Urban centres like Balakot and Muzaffarabad have been completely levelled and will take time to rebuild. The authorities are identifying several camps to house this remaining displaced population.