A total of 1,721 individuals Facilitated for Voluntary Repatriation Process between 1 March to 31 March 2018 from Pakistan with 1,643 entitled for cash assistance. The remaining 78 have received UNHCR’s cash assistance in the past.
Overview of Voluntary Repatriation from Pakistan to Afghanistan
UNHCR facilitates the Voluntary Repatriation of Afghan refugees as part of its mandate to provide durable solutions.
UNHCR Pakistan operates two Voluntary Repatriation Centres (VRC) in Quetta and Peshawar. Families who want to repatriate are de-registered at the VRC and their Proof of Registration (PoR) card is cut in the corner. A PoR card is an identity card for Afghan refugees that grants their temporary legal stay in Pakistan and protection against refoulement. Returnees receive a cash grant of approximately 200 USD per family member once they have reached one of the three UNHCR Encashment Centres in Afghanistan.
In 2016, a scheduling system for returnee families from VRC Azakhel (Nowshera) was established. All returnee families must now obtain a scheduled date for their return. UNHCR facilitated Voluntary Repatriation recommenced on 1 March after a three months winter break. In March 2018, 419 families were scheduled for return in KP. However, 311 families (74%) presented at the VRCs for their departure to Afghanistan due to number of factors.