The district administration on Friday announced an allocation of Rs40 million for the rehabilitation of the recently returned internally displaced families in Tirah valley.
During a meeting with representatives of different tribes from Bara and Tirah areas, additional deputy commissioner (relief) Nauman Ali Shah said the administration wanted to compensate returnees for their damaged houses to ensure early reconstruction. He added that the Citizen Losses Compensation Programme would be given top priority in order to start the reconstruction process as soon as possible.
The Administrator stated that in addition to the relief efforts underway, there would be a concerted effort to rebuild schools and health units, water schemes, and revive the agricultural sector. He went on to say that some NGOs had been engaged to help with the execution of development schemes for the IDP population, to help them to return to a normal life.
The government’s recent announcement of the return of thousands of Kukikhel and Sipah families to their respective regions was met with refusal from most of the families, citing the lack of basic facilities there as the reason.
According to sources, only one or two male members of each displaced family were sent to the registration centres when they registered and received a cash amount along with other essential goods.
Majority of the families have long been demanding the holding of a damage assessment survey for their houses ahead of their return. Most houses were destroyed by fleeing militants ahead of the 2012 military operation and damaged by harsh weather during the last 10 years.
