When government of Pakistan declared that all the camps will be closed by 31st of march and all the IDPs have to return back to their places of origin, All the IDPs including children showed mixed reactions. Our child protection monitors who as part of UNHCR and UNICEF monitoring team were collecting the information about EVIs tried to convince the IDPs to return to their villages if they do not belong to the category of people who find it impossible to go back to their villages due to different reasons.

Child protection team members took part in the monitoring phase along with the UNHCR team to ensure the safe return of the IDPs. It was monitored that whether there are any Vulnerable people who are unable to return to their places of origin.Data about EVIs was also collected to distribute the extra package to them. Issues about the transport were also noted and raised in the joint cluster meetings of Camp management and protection.

When children were asked what did they think about their return they gave innocent and blunt answers “we will not go back” and their parents rationalized their answer with plenty of valid arguments and disturbing facts “Our homes are destroyed we have nothing left in the village”, “Roads to our villages are inaccessible” “We have no means of livelihood left in our villages”. One thing was obvious whatever be the reason; they were not ready to go back. They had spent five moths in a protective and caring environment varying from camp to camp. So they were not ready to face the harshness of their life waiting for them in their villages.

Now it was duty of Camp management and protection to convince the people to go back to their villages so that the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction can be started by the government (with the help of National and International NGOs).

During the return phase children were confused but excited as children always love change and they get bored of one situation. Many children had developed attachment with the place and the other children living in the tent village. They were also sad because they thought that they will miss their friends and the staff of child friendly spaces. Their innocent faces showed that this transition period was indeed a difficult period for them. Because almost like their parents they were also oblivious of their future.

From the day of departure of 1st few IDP families the attendance of children in schools as well as child friendly spaces gradually decreased.Obviously children were excited and wanted to help their parents in packing their belongings. This picture shows bunch of kids who are returning to their tents after attending school. Many of these children will now go to visit CFS after having lunch, as almost all of these children are regular visitors of CFS at Banda Sahib Khan Tent village.

CHILDREN’S VIEWS REAGARDING THEIR RETURN



During the Month of March children who were returning to the places of origin along with their parents shared their views about their return with child protection monitors. Following is the account of children who shared their problem fears hopes about an uncertain future that was awaiting them in their places of origin. They also shared their feelings about child friendly spaces and how they will miss child protection staff and the friends they have made here.

(1) Views of Amina

Havellian Camp

Date: March 21, 2006


Name: Amina

Father Name: - Farooq

Age: 8 yrs

Permanent Add:-Village Khankalan .

Present Add: -Tent Village Banda Sahib Khan Havellian.

Month of arrival: December 2005

Views:

In earthquake my house was destroyed and we came here. I don’t like tent because it is very small but house is big one. I want to live here and don’t want to go back to my village because whenever earthquake occur it destroy everything and kill people. I love C.F.S. Here I play different games and enjoy a lot. I always want to live here. .



(2) Views of Rabia

Havellian Camp

Date: 21 March , 2006


Name:-Rabia

Father Name: - Hafiz

Age: 9 yrs

Permanent Add:-Khan kalan

Present Add: - Tent # 11Banda Sahib Khan Havellian.

Month of arrival:December 2005

Views:-

I like my house in village which fell down in earthquake and then we left that place and came here. At first this tent village looked strange but now I like it very much and don’t want to leave it .Here I like C.F.S very much because I play lot of games in C.F.S and enjoy very much so I don’t want to go back.



(3) Views of Sahabia


Havellian Camp

Date: 21 March , 2006


Name:-Sahabia

Father Name: -Lal Akbar

Age: 11 yrs

Permanent Add:-Khanklan

Present Add: Tent Village Banda Sahib Khan Havellian.


Month of arrival: January 2006

Views:

In village my house was destroyed in earthquake and we came here. At first I liked this village because it was new for me but I still miss my house and I love it. I don’t like tents. Here I like C.F.S very much because in C.F.S I enjoy a lot by playing different games.I am very happy on my return to my village.

(4) Views of Nagin

Havellian Camp

Date: March 21, 2006


Name:-Nagin

Father Name:-Muhammad Yaqoob

Permanent Add:-Village Khanklan .

Present Add: -Tent # 76 Tent Village Banda Sahib Khan Havellian.

Age: 11 yrs

Month of arrival:December 2005

Views:

In earthquake my house was destroyed and we came here. At first this place looked strange and I was very sad and missing my house. But now I like it. Here in C.F.S I enjoy very much by playing different games. I want to go to prper place I can live in a house.
(5) Views of Aysha



Havellian Camp
Date: March 21, 2006


Name:-Aysha

Father Name: -Munawer Shah

Age: 12 yrs

Permanent Add:-Village Battal Bashai .

Present Add: -Tent #41 Tent Village Banda Sahib Khan Havellian.

Month of arrival;-December 2006

Views:

After earthquake when our house was destroyed we left our village and came here. At first I didn’t like this place but later I started to enjoy by playing with other children now I like this tent village. In C.F.S teachers are very good here. I play a lot of games and enjoy very much. Now we are going to Taxila but I am very sad and don’t want to leave this place.



(6) Views of Zeshan



Havellian Camp

Date: March 21, 2006



Name:-Zeshan

Father Name: -Syed Sabir Hussain Shah

Age: 12 yrs

Permanent Add:-Village Gari Dopatta .

Present Add: -Tent Village Banda Sahib Khan Havellian.

Month of arrival:December 2005

Views:

When earthquake occurred I was in school its roof fell down and injured me. After treatment I recovered. At first I liked tent because it was new for me. My house was destroyed and when I think about house it scared me.I love C.F.S. Here I play different games and enjoy very much. Idon’t want to go back.



(7) Views of Mehtab



Havellian Camp

Date: March 21, 2006



Name:Mehtab

Father Name: -Shaukat

Age: 14 yrs

Permanent Add:Village Mullian Distt Abbottabad .

Present Add: - Tent Village Banda Sahib Khan Havellian.

Month of arrival: January 2006

Views:

In earthquake our house was destroyed and we came here. Ilike tent because it can’t be destroyed like house. Ilike C.F.S very much because here we play different games. Idon’t want to go back because there isn’t anything left. We will settle in Abbottabad and I will miss C.F.S and tent village very much.


(8) Views of Wasim


Havellian Camp

Date: March 21, 2006


Name:-Wasim

Father Name: - Syed Karim Hussain Shah

Age: 14 yrs

Permanent Add:-Village Gari Dopatta Disst Muzaferabad .

Present Add: Tent #A 96 Tent Village Banda Sahib Khan Havellian.


Month of arrival: December 2006

Views:

At the time of earthquake I was in school. School barracks fell down on me & I was injured. People helped me to came out from that place. Our house was completely destroyed and we came here. I like this place very much. In C.F.S I play different games. I like C.F.S teachers very much. I don’t want to go back.