mVAM Afghanistan - Pakistani Refugees Update #1: Khost and Paktika Provinces — Pakistani Refugees Assessment

KEY MESSAGES

 Access to Food: Most of the refugee households in Gurbuz, Matun, Nadir Shah Kot, Tani and Tere Zayi districts of Khost, and Sarobi district of Paktika province, are relying on purchase to buy food, while only some HHs are using coping strategies, such as relying on less expensive foods. The majority of refugee HHs in Mando Zayi district of Khost, and Urgun district of Paktika province, are relying on food assistance, with a limited number relying on purchase to access food.

 Income Sources: Casual labour is the main source of income for most of the refugees in Nadir Shah Kot, Tani and Tere Zayi districts of Khost, and Sarobi and Urgun districts of Paktika, with a limited number of refugee HHs relying on petty trading and income support from relatives. The refugees in Gurbuz and Matun districts of Khost are mainly relying on financial support from relatives, or family members living abroad. The refugees in Mando Zayi district of Khost province are mainly relying on humanitarian assistance.

 Access to services: The refugee HHs in Gurbuz, Matun, Nadir Shah Kot and Tere Zayi districts of Khost, and Urgun district of Paktika, have limited access to drinking water and education for their children. Limited access to health facilities and children’s education was reported in Mando Zayi and Tani districts of Khost, and Sarobi district of Paktika.

 Recent Returns: In the past 2 months (Nov—Dec 2016), between 100-200 refugee HHs from each of the assessed districts were reported to have returned to Pakistan.

ASSESSMENT BACKGROUND

The Pakistani refugees are settled in Gurbuz, Matun, Mando Zayi, Nader Shah Kot, Tani, Tere Zayi and Spera districts of Khost province, and Sarobi, Urgun, Gomal and Barmal districts of Paktika province.

The Pakistani refugees left their country over 2 years ago, mainly due to insecurity and conflict in the Waziristan area. The purpose of this mVAM assessment is to better understand the current situation of the Pakistani refugees located in the certain districts of Khost and Paktika provinces and to share these updates with humanitarian agencies for their consideration.

The mVAM assessment took place in all the districts with high number of refugees, except in Gomal and Barmal districts of Paktika and Spera district of Khost province, which have insecurities and limited mobile network connectivity.
The data collection took place between 24th – 26th January 2017. In total 80 mobile interviews (10/districts) were conducted with the key informants, such as shura leaders, tribal elders, district directors and members of the Community Development Councils (CDCs).