RETURN TO AFGHANISTAN

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RETURN TO AFGHANISTAN
Presentation by Beat Schuler, Deputy
Representative UNHCR, BO Vienna Vienna, 7
February 2003
2
Overview 2002

• With 2,25 million returnees, biggest UNHCR return
  program in its recent history.
• Return 48 to Central-Afghanistan, 22
  to the East, 21 to the North.
• Biggest problems to return land
  and property compensation,
  lack of work and security concerns.

3
Current Situation

• About 4 million Afghans live abroad
  (2 million in Iran, 1,5 million in
  Pakistan).
• 700,000 IDPs in Afghanistan.
  Causes drought and ethnic conflict.
• UNHCRs current main task
  assisting families through the
  winter (some 550,000 needy).
• Situation in rural areas
  fundamentally worse than in cities.

4
Outlook 2003
UNHCR would like to assist 1,5 Million Afghans
returning, mainly from Pakistan and Iran
(only some 100,000 from other countries).
5
Return safe ?
UNHCR supports voluntary repatriation only.
Although the situation that originally caused
their flight, changed, many Afghans still need
protection by the international community
Main concern problematic security situation in
many areas
6
Recommendations
UNHCR recommends tripartite agreements, in which
obligations of all parties and rights of
returnees are defined.
Receiving Country
Afghanistan
UNHCR
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Further Information IC
For assessment of individual cases, see link
to UNHCR District Profiles website of
Afghanistan Information Management Service on
www.unhcr.ch