Pakistan

Background

Following the failure of the local level peace accord, in May 2009 the Pakistan military launched a campaign to eradicate Pakistani Taliban groups from their strong-holds in the Malakand region, including Buner, Swat, Shangla, Upper Dir and Lower Dir. The conflict seriously impacted the socio-economic conditions of millions of people residing along the Pakistan / Afghan border, and particularly in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the districts within the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

An estimated 2.7 million persons were displaced as a direct result of the conflict of which 1.6 million have returned so far. The conflict adversely impacted livelihoods and the capacities of the provincial / local governance authorities and civil society organizations to take on the challenges. In order to effectively deal with the IDP crisis, the government has established coordinating mechanisms such as Special Support Group (SSG) and the Provincial Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Authority (PaRRSA), which needs strengthening to cater to the overwhelming demand for its services.

There is also an urgent need for conflict prevention and social cohesion to address the growing divide amongst communities and community members based on who supported and benefitted from conflict and those who fell victim to it.

Strategy and Objective

To support the return and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) through income generation and economic rehabilitation activities and contribute towards addressing the structural causes of conflict through peace building interventions.

Focus areas

1. Livelihoods and economic recovery – through cash for work, community infrastructure projects (water pumps, water pipelines, footpaths, culverts etc), skills training, provision of assets for farm and non-farm activities and alternate energy options to protect the environment.

2. Peace building and social cohesion - addressing the structural causes of conflicts through: strengthening/developing local level dispute resolution mechanisms; engaging youth through sports; and analysis of the root causes of conflict and the capacity of the local government and community to restore peace necessary for long term development.

3. Strengthening local governance and civil society – through strengthening PaRRSA at provincial and district levels; involving communities in rebuilding by providing  small grants for micro infrastructure projects, providing social protection for vulnerable women, simplifying governance processes for the people; helping the local government through hardware and training to coordinate and effectively handle the rehabilitation process , and supporting the community for  grievance redress.