PHPF Update: Issue 16 | October– December 2015

PHPF allocates US$ 5 million to support returns

With support from the Department for International Development (DFID) and Swedish International Development Cooperation (SIDA), Pakistan Humanitarian Pooled Fund (PHPF) has allocated US$5 million to support families returning to South Waziristan and Orakzai Agency during the month of November 2015. Some 288,703 returnees will receive assistance in terms of shelter, health, education and livelihood support through15 projects.

The returning families require livelihood support to resume their life activities, thus the largest proportion of the funds has been earmarked for the livelihood support through provision of seeds, tools and trainings for creating effective agriculture management and resilience.

The funds will also be used to rehabilitate or install water and sanitation facilities in 40 schools and 15 health centers. As a result of these projects, the returning population will have access to facilities that are culturally and gender appropriate. PHPF funds will also be utilised for provision and restoration of Primary Health Care (PHC) services in existing government health facilities.

Most of the returning families relied on subsistence farming before displacement. It will take time before the families can return to their normal agricultural activities and it will be vital to ensure nutrition support, in a country where malnutrition is already on the higher side. Through the community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) 4 nutrition projects will provide nutritional services for vulnerable children and pregnant and lactating women at the community and facility level.

Two education projects are designed to improve access to quality education through establishment of Temporary Learning Centers (TLCs) and essential supplies to re-activate the learning activities and train the Taleemi Islahi Jirgas (TIJs) in the targeted schools. TIJs will help promote awareness regarding education in the community and school management.