SWAT HUMANITARIAN AID CONTINUES

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002149 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PK PINR PREL PTER PREF IO SUBJECT: SWAT HUMANITARIAN AID CONTINUES ¶1. (SBU) Summary. USAID/OFDA implementing partners, UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations continue to provide assistance to populations in Swat, Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP). Following an August 30 suicide bombing in Mingora, the capital of Swat District, international media mistakenly reported that the Government of Pakistan (GOP) suspended humanitarian assistance programs in the district. USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) partners, including the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED),Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Mercy Corps, and Save the Children have opened offices in Swat District and continue to implement programs aimed at supporting sustainable returns and early recovery. Similarly, the UN World Food Program (WFP) and the UN World Health Organization (WHO) continue activities in Swat. Nearly 88 percent of the displaced population has returned and 80 percent of schools and 90 percent of shops have reopened in Swat. End summary. -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Beginning in early July, humanitarian organizations with access to Swat District began reporting a fluid but improving security situation, noting that individuals had spontaneously returned to areas of origin in the district, largely to Mingora and areas south of Mingora. ¶3. (SBU) During July, USAID/OFDA staff conducted assessments in southern Swat District and reported less conflict-related damage than previously expected and an ongoing and organized returns process. Confirming the USAID/OFDA assessment results, two USAID/OFDA implementing partners conducted assessments in Swat District and reported that approximately 50 percent of a displaced population of 1.7 million individuals - including women - had already returned to areas of origin as of late July. -------------- CURRENT SITUATION -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Humanitarian organizations continue to report an improved but unpredictable security situation in southern Swat District. On August 24, Pakistan's UN Humanitarian Coordinator Martin Mogwanja participated in a multi-cluster assessment in Swat District. According to the UN assessment team, 80 percent of the schools and 90 percent of the shops have reopened, and civilian life is returning to normal. As of September 1, the GOP Special Support Group reported that more than 902,000 individuals, representing 
nearly 88 percent of the displaced population from Swat District, had returned to the district, either with GOP assistance or personal resources. ¶5. (SBU) Despite recent improvements and large-scale population returns to the district, the security environment remains uncertain, particularly in areas north of Mingora, where humanitarian access remains limited. On August 30, a suicide bombing in Mingora resulted in the death of 16 police cadets. Following the incident, international media reported that the GOP suspended the provision of humanitarian assistance in Swat District. But USAID/OFDA field staff surveyed implementing partners, UN agencies, and GOP officials and confirmed the press reports were wrong. All USAID/OFDA implementing partners, as well as UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations, operating in Swat District continue to provide assistance. ¶6. (SBU) Four USAID/OFDA partners, including the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED),Catholic Relief Services (CRS),Mercy Corps, and Save the Children have opened offices in Swat District and continue to implement programs aimed at supporting sustainable returns and early recovery. While Save the Children temporarily suspended activities following the August 30 security incident, the organization resumed activities on September 3, noting that the situation remains challenging but operable. Another USAID/OFDA partner, International Rescue Committee (IRC), reported plans to open offices in Swat District during the week of September 7. In addition, USAID/OFDA-funded IRC protection teams are currently collecting information on the returns process in Swat District. ¶7. (SBU) The UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) revised security restrictions following the August 30 incident by prohibiting UN staff from remaining in the district overnight. As a result, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and WFP delayed plans to establish permanent offices in the district. In addition, WFP temporarily suspended the plans to identify locations for additional humanitarian hubs in Swat District. Despite the temporary delays, however, UN assistance programs remain ongoing and agencies continue to adapt to the evolving situation. ¶8. (SBU) OCHA plans to reschedule the first UN General Coordination Meeting in Swat District for the week of September 7. In addition, WFP and WHO continue to provide food and medicines to conflict-affected populations in Swat. During August, WFP provided assistance to nearly 18,000 returnees in the district. In addition, WFP currently operates seven humanitarian hubs in Swat District, including three newly opened hubs. ¶9. (SBU) Comment: Post will continue to monitor humanitarian assistance to Swat and to work with USAID/OFDA implementing partners and the UN to keep critical assistance flowing as the internally displaced population re-settles in the district. PATTERSON