Islamic Relief Response to the Humanitarian Crisis in NWFP

Jellozai Camp Development for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nowshera, NWFP

It was then decided by the government to move these people to two major camps; Kachha Garhi in Peshawar and Jellozai in Pubbi, Nowshera. Islamic Relief was given the task of Jellozai camp development by the UNHCR and later the health services and water & sanitation services by WHO and UNICEF accordingly.

Islamic Relief setup the Jellozai IDPs camp initially for 1000 families within a very short amount of time to ensure that the displaced families have a proper place to stay.

Numbers of families to be accommodated in the camp were increased from 1,000 to 5,000 for the displaced families making it extremely challenging for Islamic Relief. However, the organisation put all its resources to ensure timely completion of the camp development to enable displaced families to live in better conditions.

Nutrition

To ensure mother and child’s nutrition level is according to the set standards a nutrition clinic is setup by Islamic Relief at the camp with the help of UNICEF.
Each mother is given 5 kg of food supplement for her and the children. Nutrition team of IR regularly monitors mother and child’s nutrition condition.

At the clinic and during the process UNICEF set standards and the SPHERE standards are strictly followed to ensure that mothers and children nutritional conditions are improved after what they have been through.

Basic Health Services

Currently IR is providing basic health services, taking care of nutrition issues and promoting hygiene practices with the help of WHO. Providing clean drinking water to the camp residents and have setup sanitation facilities at their door steps with the help of UNICEF.

There are two medical clinics setup at the camp one for females and another for males. Every day nearly 500 hundred people get to have health services by four male and four female doctors at the camp. Majority of cases are of acute upper respiratory and patients of scabies. Number of patients’ is increasing every day due to the arrival of more families at the camp. There is also a delivery room at the basic health facility where female medical staffs assist patients in delivery process.

Clean Drinking Water

In order to ensure better quality of clean drinking water a laboratory is setup in the camp. A water treatment expert ensures that water is tested on daily basis to ensure that the people at the camp have clean drinking water.

Enough quantity per person/per day and quality of water for the families living at the camp is ensured according to the SPHERE standards that are internationally recognised.

With the availability of clean drinking water at the door steps of the people living at the camp mainly for children and women has reduced the disease that earlier these people were facing due to the non availability. of clean drinking water.

Hygiene Promotion

Also to ensure people are living in a healthy and clean environment, health & hygiene issues are addressed through 1,500 awareness sessions and by distribution of 1,700 hygiene kits.

With thousands of people living in the camp one of the major issues is the hygiene conditions. This area has been given importance among others. In partnership with UNICEF a number of activities conducted to ensure people adopt good healthy and hygienic practices to prevent them from various diseases.

Story of Gulab Jan

Gulab Jan, age 50 belongs to Bajaur agency, NWFP. Gulab having a large family of 14 members including his wife, children and parents they all live together. He used to work as farmer back in his village in Bajaur agency. Life was great as per Gulab, there was peace, children used to go to school and though he was not making enough money but yet it was a comfortable life for him and his family compared to the one in the camp. “We used to share our food with those who had nothing to eat” said Gulab.

“One day out of blue we heard bombing and firing, helicopters and planes came in to our area resulting in massive destruction. We had no idea what to do it was such a chaotic situation, everyone panicked. We decided to flee the village during the night time as we thought in the dark we might survive whereas during the day light chances of survival were less.

“None of us were able to bring anything with us apart from the clothes we had on. On the way it was extremely difficult particularly for our women and children and the elderly men to continue as we had nothing to eat and no water. Thanks to the local people who were generous enough to offer us food and other support. Also someone from our village who had some money bought us food.

“After reaching Peshawar I went to Faisalabad together with my family as we had some relatives there. But I was not comfortable with relying on someone to support me and my family. So I decided to move to Jellozai camp.

“Here I was given a tent after registration, some food items, clothes and blankets. Water is available easily and the sanitation facilities are also enough. Health services are given at the camp to us some times its hard to get it easily but that is due to the huge number of people in this camp.

“The only problem we are facing at the moment is the amount of food that is given to us. As we are large families and the food we are given is not enough therefore we request the concerned people to increase the quantity so that our children and women can have enough food as they need each day.

“Me and my family members want to be back in Bajaur and start living as the way we used to live with self dignity and respect.”

Miseries of Widow Mahroosa

Mahroosa mother of 5 sons and 3 daughters could not imagine what future has got for her after the death of her husband. “Life was so different, there was happiness comfort and everything was ok while my husband was alive. But after his death everything changed. Not having enough income caused so many problems for me and my children. And living in this society as a widow was another challenge for me.

“But we had no idea that this is not the end of the miseries there is much more that we are going face. It was this terrible day when gunship helicopters and planes came in to our village and starting destroying everything. I had never imagined that I will go through this. I could understand the death of my husband as everyone has to leave this world one day but the war in our peaceful area was nothing less than a greater shock. Our livelihoods, lands, crops and cattle were destroyed. The little we had was gone in a matter of no time and we were left with nothing but to go through miseries.

“Though we had not enough income, there was not enough food we were living a difficult life but it was not as difficult as it is in the camp. Living in a camp I could have never imagined, tent is too small for my family and it is cold too during the night time. Food is the major issue here as what is given to us is not sufficient for my children. My two sons have no job there is no work here, they are not able to make little money to support the family.

“My grand child is suffering from yellow fever as per the medical team here at the camp told me. They have given him basic treatment but I will have to take him to the hospital and I don’t have enough resources to do that. It cost money to get there and pay for the medicines and doctor’s fee.

“We have enough water available at our door step here in the camp and I am thankful to Islamic Relief for providing us clean water for drinking and other purposes.

“Once peace prevails in our area I am desperate to go back to my village with my children though there will not be enough food and other basic needed items but it is our own village we will be happy with whatever we have.”