PAKISTAN

INTERSOS has been working in Pakistan since 2001, first implementing programs supporting Afghan refugees and hosting communities and more recently with survivors of the 2005 earthquake. Intersos’ activities on the border of Afghanistan fist included management of the refugee camps in tribal areas of the North West Frontier Province and developing a voluntary repatriation program to Afghanistan, as well as community services and protection, food distribution, mine risk education, water supply, shelter construction. In 2004, INTERSOS developed a regional strategy in support of the return process of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, including transit center management, EVI targeted interventions, IDP camp management, community services and protection, shelter and water supply projects. Further, INTERSOS also developed a vocational training program in cooperation with the Pakistani authorities targeting both Afghan and Pakistani trainees, to further support the return process.

After an Earthquake struck Pakistan in October 2005, INTERSOS was able to intervene immediately, thanks to private funds and to the emergency items provided by the Italian Government. In the area of Ghanool, INTERSOS created two tent accommodation sites for local mountain communities. An additional winter camp was established in Mohella Eid Gah, which INTERSOS also supplied with a temporary water supply network.

Along with direct assistance to camps, INTERSOS has also assisted additional families in spontaneous camps where tents and non food items were distributed, cooperated and supported the Cuban Medical Team (CMT), who established a field hospital in Ghanool, and provided the Ghanool Union Council with tents for temporary schools.

From November 2005 until March 2006, INTERSOS cooperated with UNHCR both in Mansehra and in Battagram Districts. Given the already established presence on the field, INTERSOS organised twelve monitoring teams for the identification and mapping of camps, with a special focus on spontaneous camps. Special attention was given to referral activities for EVIs and isolated cases, to health and hygiene promotion, also in cooperation with UNICEF for the distribution of hygienic materials and for emergency oriented community services activities.

INTERSOS is currently actively participating in activities to support return of the displaced, with the creation, transportation and distribution of a return kit to the families in two IDP camps; Ghanool Garan, in the Shawal area, as well as Muhella Eid Gah (Union Council di Garlat) where the “Alberto Bonanni” camp is located. Preparations are underway for the initiation of a new project, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.