Over the last few weeks many of the three million people displaced by the conflict in north-west Pakistan have begun the journey back to their homes in Swat, Buner and Dir Districts. Although they have been longing for this moment since the crisis began, they now face many problems.
People who have gone back to their villages in time for Ramadan are facing a new crisis as they struggle to feed themselves, to make a living and to rebuild the damage done to their homes and to their lives.
“We left our lives behind”
70-year-old Sabir Khan lives with his son Mukaimal Khan and his family in Kowga in Buner District. “Before the conflict our lives were so different from how they are today,” he said. “We had peace, happiness and were able to live a normal life. I could never have imagined this conflict; it is the worst thing that has ever happened in my long life.”
”When the conflict started we waited for a while but then we had no choice but to flee our village, leaving our lives and everything that we had worked so hard for behind. We had no idea where we were going or how we would survive,” said Sabir.
“Unable to live in our house”
“One of my sons lives in Faisalabad and we decided to go and stay with him. But he does not have his own home and instead lives with the family he works for. Luckily when they came to hear about our situation they offered a place to stay in their house and gave us food and all the support we needed.
“Three days after we arrived in Faisalabad we found out that our house in Buner had been attacked,” continued Sabir. “We were sad and shocked and desperately wanted to return to our village but couldn’t until the situation there improved.”
Sabir and his family have now made the journey back to their home village, and while they are happy that they are back, like many other returnees they are now faced with many new problems.
“When we got back to our house we discovered that the walls were covered in bullet holes. The damage was so bad that we were unable to live there and so nine of us are now living in one room in our neighbour’s house.”
“Worst moments of my life”
“My son and I saved up for so long to build our own home but now we do not have enough money to repair it,” said Sabir. “The bullet holes on the walls remind me of the worst moments in my life, and even if we manage to rebuild the house those memories will always be there.
“This Ramadan will not be the same as before. Normally we give away food to those who are less fortunate than us during this month, but this year it will be us who needs that help.”
Islamic Relief has been providing thousands of displaced people and local families in Mardan with healthcare, water and sanitation facilities, education and psychosocial support. We are now planning to move this support to Buner to help those who are returning to their homes.
The people in north-west Pakistan are facing their most difficult Ramadan. Please help us to ease their suffering and donate now.