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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

peacepioneers@yahoo.com

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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