50pc Khyber Agency IDPs are children, says Unicef report

The Unicef estimates out of over a quarter of a million people internally displaced from Khyber Agency since January 50 per cent are children. The statistics mentioned in Situation Report shared by Save the Children, 12 per cent of the displaced are younger than 2 and 28 per cent are younger than 5.As with humanitarian aid, the only schools available to displaced children are located inside Jalozai. As a result, off-camp IDP children have nowhere to go during the day, often roaming the streets in dangerous and unfamiliar neighbourhoods. Given the emotional trauma they have experienced, many are exhibiting signs of psychological distress. Returning to school and getting psychosocial support in child friendly environments is critical in their protection, educational and emotional development. The military operations in Bara Tehsil, Khyber Agency, have displaced over a quarter of a million people since January. These Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are fleeing into Peshawar and surrounding areas. According to UNHCR, 207,521 IDPs have registered at the Jalozai IDP camp near Peshawar since January 2012. This figure represents only half of the estimated number of recently displaced persons (440,000). All newly displaced IDPs and those displaced in previous conflicts total more than 687,550 IDPs in the area with more expected in the coming weeks as military operations continue. Around 45 per cent of IDPs are not registered at Jalozai, currently the only registration point. The primary reason cited for not registering is over-crowding. Additionally, many IDPs must travel a long distance to reach the camp. It is quite arduous and dangerous since many of the displaced families are vulnerable or female-headed households, with many children and elderly family members. The humanitarian agencies predict IDPs will not be able to return home until at least early 2013. Among the total, 85 per cent of off-camp IDPs are living in Peshawar; 15 per cent in Nowshera and Kohat.