In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, a significant effort is underway to assist nearly one million families affected by conflict and displacement. The Temporarily Displaced Persons Emergency Recovery Project (TDP ERP) has been pivotal in this transformation.
The initiative began in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), where over 400,000 families displaced by military operations returned to homes marked by devastation. In 2015, TDP ERP started providing emergency cash grants to these families, aiding their reintegration into communities.
Beyond financial aid, the project introduced the Child Wellness Grant (CWG), which combines cash assistance with immunizations and health awareness sessions. Initially met with skepticism, it gained trust as child health improved. "Children look healthier, are more playful, and fall sick less frequently," shared one mother. Over 1.37 million vaccinations were administered under this program.
To support service delivery, the government established 43 Citizen Facilitation Centers (CFCs) in conflict-affected districts. These centers offer various services such as health services and birth registration. Nearly half of the beneficiaries have been women.
Women played a central role in this transformation through dedicated service counters and female staff at CFCs. “I feel empowered by the ability to navigate outside spaces and interact with healthcare providers,” said one woman about her experience at these centers.
The TDP ERP's digital infrastructure ensured transparency and accountability. Supported by the World Bank and partner organizations through IDA credits and multi-donor trust funds, it evolved from an emergency response into a scalable social protection model.
Despite challenges like security issues and cultural barriers affecting female mobilization, the project has laid foundations for peace and prosperity in fragile settings.