South-West Asia

Operational environment and strategy

Operations in the Islamic Republics of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan are also presented in separate country pages. 

For decades, the Afghan situation has been among the most significant operations for UNHCR. Although more than 2.6 million Afghan refugees have found asylum in around 70 countries, 95 per cent of them continue to be hosted in the Islamic Republics of Iran and Pakistan where, for almost four decades, they have benefited from protection, assistance and support. Both countries also host large numbers of undocumented Afghans – an estimated 1.5 to 2 million in the Islamic Republic of Iran and 1 million in Pakistan. Moreover, Afghans, including large numbers of separated and unaccompanied minors, continue to be one of the largest groups arriving in Europe.
 
Within Afghanistan, over 1.2 million people remain internally displaced. In addition to this protracted internally displaced population, more than 411,000 people have been displaced in 31 out of 34 provinces due to the ongoing conflict in 2016. Up to 56 per cent of these newly displaced people are under the age of 18.
 
Despite the complex political and security environment in Afghanistan, there has been a surge in the return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan since July 2016. By the end of November 2016, over 368,000 Afghan refugees had returned from Pakistan. Estimations are that some 390,000 Afghan refugees in total will have returned, the overwhelming majority from Pakistan, by the end of 2016, with each returnee provided with a grant of $400 to facilitate transportation and support their integration or reintegration in Afghanistan. 
 
If this trend continues in 2017, the scope and pace of return would have a further severe impact on Afghanistan’s already limited absorption capacity. The Government of Pakistan has extended the validity of the proof of registration (PoR) cards issued to refugees until the end of March 2017. UNHCR continues to advocate for further extension of PoR cards and the adoption of a comprehensive policy on the management of Afghan refugees. UNHCR also works closely with host governments in the region, together with the Government of Afghanistan, to advocate for voluntary, dignified and phased returns. The Ad Hoc High Level Meeting of the Quadripartite Steering Committee in October 2016 reaffirmed the need to ensure that returns are voluntary, in safety and dignity as well as gradual, and in keeping with Afghanistan’s absorption capacity.
 
The “Solutions strategy for Afghan refugees to support voluntary repatriation, sustainable reintegration and assistance to host countries” (SSAR) continues to be a relevant regional framework to seek solutions for the Afghan refugees living in a protracted situation. However, the evolving situation inside Afghanistan in 2016 has hampered the attainment of durable solutions. In response to these developments, UNHCR developed a regional plan on building resilience and solutions for Afghan refugees in South-West Asia within the framework of the SSAR to be implemented throughout the region until the end of 2017.
 
The regional plan presents specific activities which will contribute to building resilience among Afghan refugees, IDPs, returnees and host communities, and help find innovative solutions to their situation. These are articulated in five key areas: access to protection (legal and policy framework); access to basic services; youth empowerment through education, skills training and livelihoods support; durable solutions and advocacy; and coordination and partnership. Inside Afghanistan, the plan focuses on targeted assistance to the most vulnerable people of concern and local communities. A greater focus is put on support to refugees in hosting countries, Iran and Pakistan.
In response to the significant increase of Afghan refugee returns from Pakistan, UNHCR revised the Supplementary Appeal it issued in October 2016, updating it to include additional financial requirements to support increased returns. The revised appeal, which requests $181.2 million, also includes the needs of vulnerable returnees, IDPs, and support for host communities over the winter months.