HIGHLIGHTS
59,020 Afghan refugees (PoR cardholders) repatriated to Afghanistan between 3 April and 31 December 2017.
101,159 Births registered between 1 January and 31 December 2017.
8,715 Initial Refugee Screening Forms were submitted between 1 January and 31 December 2017. 1,574 families comprising of 8,715 individuals.
2,401 Afghans and non-Afghans registered in UNHCR’s proGres database between 1 January and 31 December 2017.
816 families comprising of 2,401 individuals.
281,640 IDP individuals returned to their areas of origin between 1 January and 31 December 2017.
46,940 families using the multiplier of 6 as the average family size.
MAIN UPDATES
Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR)
The regional multi-year Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR, phase II 2015-2017) provides a framework for cooperation between humanitarian and development actors to address the needs of Afghan refugees. The main goal of the SSAR is to identify and implement lasting solutions for refugees, while providing assistance to host communities. The SSAR prioritises the promotion of youth empowerment through inter-linked interventions in the areas of education, vocational skills training and livelihoods.
5th Meeting of the Quadripartite Steering Committee on the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees
The 5th meeting of the Quadripartite Steering Committee was hosted by the Government of Afghanistan on 1 December 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey. The parties of the Quadripartite Steering Committee reaffirmed their commitment to voluntary repatriation in safety and dignity and urged enhanced joint efforts to create an environment conducive for voluntary repatriation and sustainable reintegration in Afghanistan. The governments of Afghanistan and Iran and UNHCR agreed to the extension of the SSAR framework for 2018-19. The Government of Pakistan committed to present the proposed SSAR framework for 2018-19 to its Federal Cabinet for consideration. All parties underlined the importance of greater responsibility-sharing by the international community in supporting resilience-building measures and lasting solutions for Afghan refugees, returnees and their host communities. UNHCR suggested that the three Governments consider adoption of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF).
7th Meeting of the Friends of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (FOSSAR)
The 7th meeting of the FOSSAR was hosted by the Australian High Commissioner on 11 December 2017. The Ambassador of Afghanistan and Special Envoy of the President, H.E. Dr. Hazrat Omer Zakhilwal, highlighted the extraordinary relationship and cooperation that Afghanistan enjoys with both SAFRON and UNHCR. He appreciated the ongoing initiative of the government of Pakistan to register and document undocumented Afghan nationals on its territory; and provided an update on the efforts of the government of Afghanistan to ensure sustainable reintegration of returning refugees and bolster the absorption capacity. The Ambassador noted that access to quality healthcare and education is particularly challenging and called for support of the international community in this regard. The Federal Secretary SAFRON, Capt. (R) Jahanzeb Khan expressed gratitude to the international community for the support provided so far but noted that greater responsibility-sharing is needed to encourage the host countries, including Pakistan, to continue hosting refugees. The international community should support voluntary repatriation and sustainable reintegration as the cornerstone of SSAR and the most preferred solution for Afghan refugees; while providing support to the host communities pending return. The government of Pakistan will deliberate on the potential extension of the SSAR framework beyond 2017 but greater international responsibility-sharing (including for the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas programme) will be imperative. UNHCR’s Representative, Ms. Ruven Menikdiwela briefed the FOSSAR members about the outcomes of the 29th Tripartite and 5th Quadripartite meetings; preliminary findings of the returnee and IDP monitoring survey in Afghanistan, the findings of UNHCR Pakistan’s mapping of education facilities and enrolment of Afghan children; and the way forward in 2018.
Durable Solutions and Protection
Voluntary Repatriation: UNHCR operates two Voluntary Repatriation Centres (VRCs) in Quetta and Peshawar for refugees wishing to repatriate to Afghanistan. Families who want to repatriate are de-registered at the VRC, and their Proof of Registration (PoR) card (an identity card for Afghan refugees that grants temporary legal stay in Pakistan and protection against refoulement) is cut in the corner. Returnees receive a cash grant of approximately USD 200 per individual upon arrival at one of the three UNHCR encashment centres in Afghanistan for refugees returning from Pakistan. Repatriation was paused for winter and resumed on 3 April 2017.
Legal Assistance: UNHCR operates nine Advice and Legal Aid Centres (ALACs) which provide legal assistance to refugees and conduct awareness-raising activities. In December, 2,451 persons of concern were assisted by ALACs. ALACs intervened on behalf of 56 refugees at police stations upon arrest, securing the release of all, and provided court representations to 27 of those charged under the 1946 Foreigners Act and other preventive laws. In December, individual legal counselling was provided to 562 persons of concern who visited ALAC offices, as well as 786 people who sought legal advice through the ALAC helplines. Through 45 legal sessions, staff reached out to 869 participants (41 per cent were women) during the reporting period. The issues of greatest concern for persons of concern seeking legal advice/assistance were the extension of PoR card, shelter, financial, medical needs and police harassment.
UNHCR provides support to five Proof of Registration (PoR) Cards Modification (PCM) centres operated by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) nationwide. The PCM centres support the modification/replacement of existing PoR cards, the registration of new born children up to the age of five, provision of PoR cards to registered children older than five years of age and the issuance of birth certificates to children under the age of 18. A total of 101,159 children were registered and 58,281 children received birth certificates between January and the end of December 2017.