Since 2009, South Waziristan Agency (SWA) has suffered a number of violent armed conflicts between security forces and Taliban causing massive destruction, several thousand deaths and creating over a half million displaced people. Right at the start of this armed conflict, the displaced people from SWA took flight to district Tank. The recipient area was selected for this study because it is among the most backward areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) , hosting IDPs from the most neglected agency of federally administrated tribal areas (FATA).
Government failed in providing adequate health care support to IDPs due to the absence of legislation regarding their rights in national law. Further, due to negligence of issues related to internal displacement in UN and international law, IDPs were afforded very little health care help during displacement.
This research was designed to contribute to a policy or model to be developed to provide health care services for IDPs. The three objectives of this study were: to evaluate the role of economic and social capital level of SWA IDPs in selection of temporary shelter in IDPs camp and host community during armed conflict; to compare the prevalence of health related problems in IDPs living in camp and host community according to their sex and age; to indicate the difference between current nature and range of health services availability in IDPs camp and host community according to their sex and age.
The research employed mixed methods in achieving the above objectives. It was conducted through surveys and in-depth interviews (IDIs) with IDPs. Respondents for surveys were selected by applying systematic sampling technique with a random start. For this purpose 155 HHs were selected for survey & 5 respondents for IDIs in IDPs camps while in host community 105 respondents were selected for survey and 3 respondents for IDIs.
This study found that in the situation where government and international community was not interested to help them out during displacement, IDPs relied more on their level of social capital and economic status. Those IDPs who could afford a house or had found help from their relatives, fellow tribesmen or friends joined host community but those IDPs who were poor and unable to find any help regarding shelter, loan or food, were left with only one choice that is to join IDPs camp. [...]
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Aims in conducting this research
1.3 Locale of the study
1.4 Historical overview of FATA
1.5 South Waziristan Agency
1.6 Tribes & Clan
1.7 Problem Statement
1.8 General Objective of the study
1.9 Specific Objectives
1.10 Thesis Overview
Chapter 2. Literature Review
Chapter 3. Methodology
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research Design
3.3 Methodology
3.4 Mixed study approach
3.5 Data Collection Tools
3.5.1 Survey Questionnaire
3.5.2 In-depth interview
3.6 Review and analysis of existing data
3.7 The Research Activities
3.8 Justification for selection of locale of the study
3.9 Study Samples
3.10 Sampling Methods
3.11 Qualitative Data Analysis
3.12 Quantitative Data Analysis
3.13 Ethical Consideration
3.14 Limitations of the Research
Chapter 4. Socio-economic and Demographic Profile
I. Age and Sex structure
Chapter 5. Protection to IDPs in Camps and Host Community
I. Level of Social Capital
II. Accommodation and Food
III. Morbidity, Mortality and Mental Stress among IDPs living in Tank
IV. Health Seeking Practices
V. Mother and Child Health Care
VI. Health priority and their possible solution
Chapter 6. Conclusion & Recommendations
6.1 Discussion
6.2 Conclusions
6.3 Recommendations
6.4 Need for Further Research
Research Objectives and Focus
This research aims to assess the health needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the South Waziristan Agency (SWA) who have temporarily settled in camps or within the host community in District Tank, Pakistan. The study seeks to provide evidence-based recommendations to the public health sector and humanitarian organizations for developing inclusive health policies.
- Evaluation of how economic status and social capital influence the choice of temporary shelter for SWA IDPs.
- Comparative analysis of the prevalence of health-related problems among IDPs in camps versus host communities across different age and gender groups.
- Investigation into the nature and availability of health services provided to IDPs in both settings.
- Assessment of the psychological and physical health needs of the displaced population to inform future health interventions.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Background of the Study
Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced due to conflict every year globally (UNHCR, 2010). Forced to flee from their homes in search of protection, some are able to find refuge with families and friends, but most are crowded into camps where they become victims of further violence, mental stress, and disease (IDMC, 2012).
As near the end of 2013, more than 28.8 million people were internally displaced by conflict and violence across the world with more than 3.5 million people being newly displaced in 2013 as a result of violence accompanying the “Arab Spring” uprisings in Syria and democratic republic of Congo with 2.4 million and one million respectively, while an estimated 0.5 million people fled their homes in both Sudan and India (IDMC, 2012).
The largest regional increase in the number of internally displaced people in 2012 was in the Middle East and North Africa where 2.5 million people were forced to flee their homes. There were almost 6 million IDPs in the region at the end of 2012, a rise of 40 per cent on the 2011 (UNHCR, 2010).
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1. Introduction: Provides global background on internal displacement and details the specific context of SWA IDPs in District Tank.
Chapter 2. Literature Review: Analyzes the existing frameworks regarding IDPs and international human rights and humanitarian law.
Chapter 3. Methodology: Details the descriptive-exploratory approach utilizing both qualitative (in-depth interviews) and quantitative (surveys) data.
Chapter 4. Socio-economic and Demographic Profile: Presents quantitative data on the demographic characteristics and socio-economic status of the surveyed IDPs.
Chapter 5. Protection to IDPs in Camps and Host Community: Compares the living conditions, health outcomes, and access to services between camp residents and those in the host community.
Chapter 6. Conclusion & Recommendations: Synthesizes the research findings and provides policy recommendations for reforming health sector interventions for displaced populations.
Keywords
South Waziristan Agency, Internally Displaced Persons, District Tank, Health Assistance, Social Capital, Economic Status, Humanitarian Relief, Public Health, Mental Stress, Maternal Health, Conflict, Displacement, Comparative Analysis, FATA, Health Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the comparative health needs and experiences of IDPs from South Waziristan living in government camps versus those living within the local host community in District Tank.
What are the primary thematic areas investigated?
The study examines social capital and economic status as determinants of shelter choice, morbidity and mortality rates, access to health services, and specific health needs of women, children, and the elderly.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The main objective is to assess the health needs of SWA IDPs and to provide policy recommendations for the Pakistani public health sector to better address these needs.
What research methodology was employed?
The study utilized a mixed-methods approach, combining systematic quantitative surveys of 260 households and qualitative in-depth interviews (IDIs) with displaced individuals.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body analyzes the socio-economic profiles of IDPs, assesses the adequacy of humanitarian assistance, and evaluates physical and mental health outcomes in different living settings.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), South Waziristan Agency (SWA), health assistance, social capital, conflict displacement, and mental health.
Why are IDPs in camps more vulnerable than those in host communities?
The research identifies lack of autonomy, poor living conditions (overcrowding, inadequate sanitation), restricted movement by security forces, and social exclusion as primary factors worsening the health of camp residents.
What role does social capital play for the IDPs?
Social capital—defined through family, tribe, and social networks—enables IDPs with higher economic status to integrate into the host community, providing them better access to private healthcare and shelter compared to those forced into camps.
What are the key conclusions regarding mental health?
The study concludes that mental stress levels are significant among IDPs, yet psychiatric support is almost entirely absent in both camps and host communities, leaving families to rely on traditional, non-medical coping mechanisms.
- Quote paper
- Shahid Khan (Author), 2014, Health assistance to internally displaced persons of South Waziristan Agency in camps and host community, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/276540
