Serious housing shortage in Mardan for IDPs

MARDAN: With a huge influx of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) owing to military operation in Malakand and Buner, the district now lacks buildings for accommodation.

Rental houses, hujras, under-construction buildings, deserted houses and even governmental schools are not available in Mardan for the IDPs because of continuous influx. Approximately more than 400,000 IDPs fleeing Buner, Swat, Upper Dir and Lower Dir have reached Mardan and Swabi districts.

The affluent families preferred to stay with relatives and rented buildings, while the underprivileged either reached relief camps or were searching under-construction and even deserted buildings for shelter.

On the directives of District Nazim Himayatullah Mayar, a large number of IDPs were lodged in governmental schools. A sizeable number of IDPs were also seen camped in the open in rural areas under trees and at the sides of canals.

Bicket Gunj Union Council Nazim Ziaul Haque Gandheri broke the locks of the Government Girls Primary School at Shamsi Road Saturday night and housed 18 families, mostly from Swat.

One Islam told this correspondent that his family belonged to Rang Mahallah in Mingora (Swat) and last night shelling forced the locals to flee from the area. He thanked Nazim Gandheri who provided them the school building, meals and tea twice a day.

He also thanked the school principal for his cooperation. Similarly, women thanked local social worker Gulara Shahnazar for consoling the war-affected families and providing them clothes, food and even sweets to children.

Later, Shahnazar said she was trying her best to help the IDPs at every level in limited resources. She disclosed that after the arrival of the displaced families in the area, she along with her team went to every house of the UC and requested donation.

She deplored that no MNA or MPA had reached the camp and were trying to avoid meeting the IDPs. Shahnazar deplored that no facilities or material assistance was available to the IDPs at the school.

Raj Shah, a resident of Palai village on the border of Malakand and Mardan districts, told this correspondent that a rocket attack on Sunday morning forced the villagers to flee the area while leaving behind property and valuables.

Khalil Ahmed, from Rahimabad area of Swat, said his village was the focus of bombardment and rocket attacks. Narrating his ordeal, he said the shelling destroyed their houses and other property. He said he had seen bodies lying on the streets in Rahimabad.

Situation at the relief camps is worst because of registration problem and insufficient availability of food and shelter. An NGO activist, identified as Siraj Muhammad of Takhtbhai tehsil, told this correspondent at Jalala relief camp that the method of providing food, utensils and shelter was very humiliating and inhuman.

He said first the IDPs had to wait in queues for registration: an uphill task, particularly for women. After they got registered, they had to queue up for getting food, utensils and tent and most of the IDPs were unable to get the relief goods.