Protracted issue: Donor support sought for Afghan repatriation
Safron minister says solution to the issue lies in Afghanistan, underscores importance of RAHA initiative.
Donor support sought after Afghan repatriation. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
In a recently held meeting delegates from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran and representatives of UNHCR came together to assess the implementation of the Solution Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR).
The officials underscored the need to seek donor support in order to benefit a maximum number of refugees, returnees and host communities.
As the third meeting of the regional Quadripartite Steering Committee, takes place in Islamabad, delegates and UNHCR representatives met over a stretch of two days to discuss the updates on progress and discussed approaches on how to mobilise resources for the implementation of the regional strategy.
The SSAR, a $1.9 billion initiative endorsed at an International conference in Geneva 2012 aims to work towards repatriation of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan till 2017. A total of $610 million have been allocated for Pakistan chapter.
UNHCR Asia Bureau Director Daisy Dell said that UNHCR in seeking an end to the world’s largest and most protracted refugee situation, especially at a time when other humanitarian crises demand additional donor support.
There are still 2.4 million Afghan refugees, 1.6 million in Pakistan and 840,000 in Iran - the largest refugee hosting countries globally.
The participants noted that repatriation of refugees could only be sustainable when conditions inside Afghanistan are conducive for reintegration.
SAFRON Minister Lt Gen (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch made it clear that the solution to this protracted refugee issue lies in Afghanistan. “Efforts are required to ensure international assistance for voluntary return of Afghan refugees and their reintegration in Afghanistan,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the importance of the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) initiative which has so far benefited close to four million Pakistanis and Afghans in Pakistan.
Afghanistan Minister of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR) Jamaher Anwary noted that more developmental assistance was required to make a real impact and enable the sustainable reintegration of Afghans.
“In situations where national development programmes cannot cover all the needs of returnees, UN agencies and other development actors must do more to fill the gaps,” he added.
Iran’s Director General of the Bureau of Aliens and Foreign Immigrants (BAFIA) Dr Aziz Kazemi said that lack of shelter, job opportunities, educational and health facilities in Afghanistan could be addressed through sharing costs and responsibilities for SSAR projects.
“There should be more support from the international community and strong partnership between UN agencies and NGOs for voluntary repatriation and implementation of SSAR projects in Iran,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2013.
In a recently held meeting delegates from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran and representatives of UNHCR came together to assess the implementation of the Solution Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR).
The officials underscored the need to seek donor support in order to benefit a maximum number of refugees, returnees and host communities.
As the third meeting of the regional Quadripartite Steering Committee, takes place in Islamabad, delegates and UNHCR representatives met over a stretch of two days to discuss the updates on progress and discussed approaches on how to mobilise resources for the implementation of the regional strategy.
The SSAR, a $1.9 billion initiative endorsed at an International conference in Geneva 2012 aims to work towards repatriation of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan till 2017. A total of $610 million have been allocated for Pakistan chapter.
UNHCR Asia Bureau Director Daisy Dell said that UNHCR in seeking an end to the world’s largest and most protracted refugee situation, especially at a time when other humanitarian crises demand additional donor support.
There are still 2.4 million Afghan refugees, 1.6 million in Pakistan and 840,000 in Iran - the largest refugee hosting countries globally.
The participants noted that repatriation of refugees could only be sustainable when conditions inside Afghanistan are conducive for reintegration.
SAFRON Minister Lt Gen (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch made it clear that the solution to this protracted refugee issue lies in Afghanistan. “Efforts are required to ensure international assistance for voluntary return of Afghan refugees and their reintegration in Afghanistan,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the importance of the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) initiative which has so far benefited close to four million Pakistanis and Afghans in Pakistan.
Afghanistan Minister of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR) Jamaher Anwary noted that more developmental assistance was required to make a real impact and enable the sustainable reintegration of Afghans.
“In situations where national development programmes cannot cover all the needs of returnees, UN agencies and other development actors must do more to fill the gaps,” he added.
Iran’s Director General of the Bureau of Aliens and Foreign Immigrants (BAFIA) Dr Aziz Kazemi said that lack of shelter, job opportunities, educational and health facilities in Afghanistan could be addressed through sharing costs and responsibilities for SSAR projects.
“There should be more support from the international community and strong partnership between UN agencies and NGOs for voluntary repatriation and implementation of SSAR projects in Iran,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2013.