Summary
Content
HIGHLIGHTS
- Security situation has deteriorated in the last week as two successive explosions against security forces occurred in Swat. The first one was against a security check post in Khwazakhela (about 15 Km north of Mingora) where five people were killed and five others wounded. A suicide bomber also blew himself up to avoid arrest by security forces in the vicinity of Naway Kalay of Mingora, Swat. Initial reports revealed that at least two persons were killed and there is still undetermined number of wounded. As of 16 August 2008, the route to Swat had been blocked and local authorities have declared that there would be no relaxation of curfew. As a result all missions into Swat are suspended until further notice. In another security incident 6 people were killed and 10 injured when a bomb exploded outside a petrol pump along Michini Road in Tehsil, Shabqadar.
- All UN offices in Balochistan province remain closed and operations are suspended until 31 August, after a threat was received from a separatist movement. The Baloch Liberation United Front (BLUF) warned that UN staff members would be targeted at any time unless they left the province. International staff has been relocated to Islamabad, and National staff have been advised to remain indoors and to work from home.
- Pakistan remains in UN Security Phase III.
- Latest Govt figures show that more than 225,393 families returned to their homes in southern Swat, Buner and Dir districts since the return process officially started on 13 July. Repatriation of IDPs to Swat (85 %), Buner (97%) Shangla (94 %) and Dir (91 %) have been achieved. Only 3,000 to 4,000 families are left in the districts from those areas (SSG reports)
- 4 hubs in Buner District and 3 hubs in Swat District are fully operational as to date. Overall number of humanitarian hubs serving IDPs in NWFP host communities and returnees increased to 41.
- The number of distribution points in camps remains at 5.
- In South Wazirastan, there are no ground operations. Estimated IDPs quoted 12,588 (9,500 in D.I.Khan and 3,000 in Tank)
- WFP reported that from 10,000 to 15,000 families might be affected by floods in NWFP. Mission is ongoing (18 August) and expected to report on assessment details as these are received.
- The ERU disbanded and merged with PDMA and PaRRSA (Provincial Relief, Rehabilitation & Construction Authority.
- Registration has closed but may be activated on case to case basis. Presently, registration is ongoing in Dir for IDP in camps and in hosting communities (displaced during Maidan operations) which will be NADRA cleaned. Apox 28,000 families. WFP requested to cover the caseload (including Dir returnees from districts) and establish a hub in Timergrah (Lower Dir)