Addressing the Afghan Refugee Crisis

03 Jul, 2002    ·   782

Radhika Govindrajan flags few crucial areas that need priority in the post-Taliban Afghan Reconstruction Rehabilitation and Repatriation programmes
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that there were five million Afghan refugees and 1.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Afghanistan when the US military operation ended in late 2001. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and UNHCR have assessed the cost of reconstructing Afghanistan at $10 billion over the next five years, but the Afghan Interim Administration was promised only $4.5 billion in aid at the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan held in January 2002 at Tokyo .

 

 

Lack of funding threatens to derail one of the most extensive repatriation programmes in history. Today, the Afghans are the single largest refugee group in the world. Repatriation would only be possible by focusing on rehabilitation and reconstruction in tandem.

 

 

The refugee crisis in Afghanistan goes back a long way. Harsh human rights abuses committed over two decades of civil war led to the initial exodus. Shelling, bombarding, arbitrary arrests, public executions, rape and persecution created an atmosphere of terror, which forced millions of Afghans to flee their homes and seek shelter across international borders or within Afghanistan . This refugee crisis was exacerbated by years of drought, the threat posed by landmines and, finally, the US bombing. In early 2001, Afghanistan was hit by the worst drought in thirty years, which forced millions to abandon their homes in search of food.

 

 

Besides, the Afghan countryside is littered with over ten million landmines and other unexploded shells from the war. This has led to Afghanistan having the highest proportion of disabled people in the world.

 

 

The number of refugees and IDPs surged after the US bombings in Afghanistan ; it has soared to over two million while, due to tight border restrictions imposed by neighbouring countries, only 200,000 Afghans managed to flee outside the country, mostly to Pakistan .

 

 

Two decades of war and human rights violations have had a devastating effect on Afghanistan . Countless civilians have been killed and millions have fled. The infrastructure in the State has been largely destroyed; hence socio-economic conditions are among the worst in the world. If a durable solution to the Afghan refugee crisis is to be found, it is essential that its underlying causes are addressed. Unless security conditions and law and order improve, people will continue to flee.

 

 

Apart from providing the returnees and IDPs with food, shelter and health care, ensuring human security will be an important part of the repatriation package. Further, human rights abuses must be prevented. It is imperative that the Interim Administration is provided assistance to develop a police force and a judicial system. Extensive de-mining operations must also be carried out, as they pose a great hazard to returnees. The Afghans must be convinced that their country is safe and they will be provided effective protection.

 

 

Development and reconstruction are the only durable solutions to the Afghan crisis. A sustained programme of social, economic and political recovery must be initiated before normalcy returns 

 

 

International aid agencies working in Afghanistan are experiencing a severe lack of resources and may have to downscale their operations. Humanitarian agencies must also have secure funding to carry on with their operations. Most importantly, the donor community must monitor the reconstruction work and make sure that promises about security and reconstruction are fulfilled.

 

 

The international community must speed up financial aid to the Interim Administration to rebuild homes, establish health care centres and build schools. At present, many Afghans do not have access to basic healthcare facilities. Mortality rates, especially among expectant mothers and infants, are among the highest in the world. Besides, literacy rates are extremely low, around four per cent for women. It is essential that farmers be provided assistance to help rebuild the agricultural sector and irrigation systems. This will provide a safety net against future droughts.

 

 

Development projects, especially to build up infrastructure, need to get underway if the Afghan community is to be rebuilt. Special attention must be paid to building roads and telecommunication networks, which were destroyed during the wars. The economic situation of the returnees must also be focused upon. They must be assisted to start small projects that will help them achieve financial security. Women must be included in this endeavor and efforts be made to use their talents. It is crucial that development aid reaches the villages and small towns, where the majority of the population lives. This will facilitate reconstruction from the grassroots. These are basic issues that must be addressed to ensure successful rehabilitation. 

POPULAR COMMENTARIES