PESHAWAR: The Emergency Response Unit (ERU) has prepared an early recovery plan entitled Naway Sahar (Dawn of a new beginning) for the return and settlement of IDPs of Malakand Division and the date for their return is expected to be announced shortly.

According to a handout issued here on Sunday, the transportation/logistics plan has been formulated to ensure the voluntary return of IDPs with dignity and safety with comparatively minimum discomfort to the returnees.

The logistic operation for informed and voluntary return shall be phased for each district in the affected regions. In the first instance Buner population residing in Swabi would be catered for in six phases spread over six days.     

The transport will be arranged and provided by the ERU on the basis of required needs of the IDPs, at specified point of departures according to the given timelines. To enable the IDPs to make informed choices, the information and publicity campaign will be started at least 4 days before the operation and would be widely dissipated via media. The enroute security, ambulance and emergency health services and documentation facilities shall also be provided to the returning IDPs.  

It is roughly estimated that about 3000 vehicles would be required, each carrying 7-8 families and their belongings including special arrangement for livestock. The estimated cost of providing transportation to each family is approximately Rs. 2000 which will be borne by ERU.

The plan includes the provision of re-strategizing of operations in case of any contingency and concrete SOPs are also included for clarity and smoothness of operation. Details of the plan are available on ERU's website www.helpidp.org