Verification of South Waziristan’s displaced people complete, appeal process remains open: UNHCR
ISLAMABAD, Nov 18 (APP): Registration records for internally displaced people from South Waziristan in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank have now been verified by the National Database and Registration Authority with about 275,000 people (comprising 36,787 families) confirmed as eligible.
Another 17, 546 families were
deemed ineligible due to multiple registrations, issues around the
validity of national ID cards, or because they are not from the
affected areas—though families rejected on these latter two categories
in particular have the chance to appeal. “With the conclusion of the
verification process, the registration of displaced people from South
Waziristan is now largely complete as there have been no new
registration applications lodged over the past week,” said Mr. Mengesha
Kebede, UNHCR’s Pakistan Representative. “However, the registration and
grievance desks at the four centres in DI Khan and Tank will remain
open for the time being to ensure those people not verified, due to
problems with ID cards for example, have a chance to seek redress.
There may also be others affected by the conflict not yet registered.” “While verification is important
to ensure assistance goes to those in need, we have to ensure that any
genuinely displaced but not registered do not fall through the cracks,”
said Kebede. UNHCR is supporting the
registration of displaced people from South Waziristan which is being
carried out by the NWFP Social Welfare Department supported by a local
NGO. A total of 54,333 families were
registered in DI Khan and Tank between August and November 2009. NADRA
carried out a verification process to check for duplicate registrations
and against national ID data, verifying 67 percent of total
applications. Of those not verified, 20 percent were rejected due to
multiple registration issues, around 11 percent for issues regarding
national ID cards, and almost 2 percent were deemed not from the
affected area. Since September, UNHCR has also
been distributing relief supplies like sleeping mats, quilts, and jerry
cans to registered displaced families, with more than 242,000 people
(comprising 33,000 families) assisted to date. Last week, UNHCR began
distributing tents to families staying with host communities to
alleviate overcrowding and expand living space. More than 9,000 tents
have been given to verified IDP families so far. Distribution of tents
to remaining verified families is continuing, and additional winter
supplies will be distributed soon.
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