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Pakistanis Affected by Conflict Get Access to Humanitarian Information and Have Their Say

Internews Local journalists interview children in an IDP camp in Pakistan for a humanitarian information program produced by Internews.

(June 14, 2010) Internews is connecting the humanitarian community responding to Pakistan’s internal displacement crisis in the northern and tribal areas through an online portal that highlights the stories of people living as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps and those returning to the post-conflict areas.

The Humanitarian Information Portal (HIP), is a space to listen and respond to Pastho-language radio programs, Sabaoon and Maraam, both supported by Internews. Online, each story is summarized in English. Through these programs, vital information about health, education, security, sanitation, food, security and early recovery programs is shared. At the same time, these programs give voice to the millions of people affected by the conflict and the effectiveness and reach of humanitarian response.

Nearly three million people have fled their homes in Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas since May 2008; of these, nearly a million are still living in camps for IDP’s or with host families. Many have returned to Swat and Malakand, where the military and government have declared it safe, although homes, schools and roads remain destroyed and basic needs such as water, latrines and primary health care is unavailable. Meanwhile, countless others who stayed behind during the conflict struggle to rebuild their lives.

Humanitarian Information Programs: Sabaoon and Maraam

Internews has trained a team of journalists in humanitarian reporting to highlight the relief and recovery assistance available through the government, international organizations such as the UN, and NGO’s to the people affected by the conflict. Their radio programs – Sabaoon and Maraam, are broadcast throughout most of NWFP. Through these programs, vital information about health, education, security, sanitation, food, security and early recovery programs is shared. At the same time, these programs give voice to the millions of people affected by the conflict and the effectiveness and reach of humanitarian response.

Humanitarian Information Portal – Platform for dialogue

Stories from the field and the humanitarian community come together at the Humanitarian Information Portal. The programs are in Pashto, but each story is summarized in English, and is also categorized by sector such as education, health, livelihoods, agriculture, food and nutrition, and peace and security.

The portal is open to comments, so that people can have their say on the issues raised. This allows the humanitarian community to hear about issues directly from the field, and also draws attention to gaps and problems to be addressed. Members of the humanitarian community working in Pakistan have appreciated the opportunity to hear of these issues as their access is often limited for security reasons.

The comments are taken from call-in sessions on Sabaoon and Maraam, and listening groups conducted as part of the overall Humanitarian Information Project. People in this section talk directly about issues they feel need more attention, problems they are encountering in accessing or understanding assistance available, or the quality of the aid itself.

HIP is part of Internews’ Humanitarian Information Project in Pakistan, which is supported by the United States Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Swiss Development Corporation.

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