PROTRACTED SITUATION OF REFUGEES IN PAKISTAN DR. SAEED ELAHI CHAIRMAN PAKISTAN RED CRESCENT SOCIETY

Transcription

1 PROTRACTED SITUATION OF REFUGEES IN PAKISTAN DR. SAEED ELAHI CHAIRMAN PAKISTAN RED CRESCENT SOCIETY

2 Sequence Background Present Statistics of Refugees/IDPs National Responsibility in case of IDPs Impact of protracted situation of refugees/idps Role of Pakistan Red Crescent Society Major Concerns Way Forward

3 Background Pakistan remained in eye of storm since its creation in shape of refugees and IDPs In August 1947, one of largest migration of human history when over 14 million people migrated after partition of Sub Continent. Pakistan has largely been affected by large influx of refugees from its neighboring Afghanistan due to Soviet invasion and later US war on terror. Soviet invasion of Afghanistan resulted into major exodus of refugees in Pakistan Pakistan and Iran were two neighboring states facing bulk of refugees Source: Commissionerate of Afghan Refugees, KPK, Pakistan

4 Background Over 3.7 million Afghan refugees were in Pakistan as of 1990 including 0.5 million unregistered refugees. However, numbers kept changing mostly on plus side during highly volatile situation of armed conflict in Afghanistan Flow of Afghan refugees continued even once Soviets left and civil war continued After waging War on Terror by US and NATO forces in Afghanistan and active involvement of Pakistan as a front state against terrorism resulted in large influx of refugees and IDPs Source: Commissionerate of Afghan Refugees, KPK, Pakistan

5 Joining of war on terror added to responsibilities of Pakistan as well as challenges. Attacks on its armed forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, civilian population, Mosques, markets, Churches, school, colleges and many other places by Taliban and their sympathizers became a routine To meet its obligation internally and externally, frequent military operations have been conducted in FATA and other areas Background

6 Background In result of military operations against terrorists resulted in one of largest internal displacement in history of Pakistan Locals had no choice but to leave the conflict zone to avoid being killed. Pakistan has been handling major IDPs crises since 2007 due to military operations in Swat, South Waziristan, Bajour, Mohmand, Kurram, Khyber and North Waziristan tribal agencies. Most of these IDPs are either living in rented accommodations, with host families and a smaller number staying in government established camps. Due to their cultural, historical, religious and social reasons, people prefer to stay away from camps. Source: Commissionerate of Afghan Refugees, KPK, Pakistan

7 Refugees / IDPs Statistics Serial Category Figures Remarks 1 Afghanistan 1,509,909 2 IDPs 1,208, refugee villages(48 administered camps in different districts and agencies) IDPs from Mohmand, Bajour, Kurram, SWA and NWA 3 Somalia Bangladesh 450, Myanmar Source: UNHCR Mostly illegal. No authentic figures are available 163,000 Rohingya Refugees and others 6. Misc 201 Russians, Iranian, Iraqis etc. Total 3,332,176

8 National Responsibility in Internal Displacement In addition to ensuring the protection of rights in accordance with international law, national responsibility in situations of internal displacement entails:- Preventing displacement and minimizing its adverse effects; Raising national awareness about the problem; Collecting data on the number and condition of IDPs; Supporting training on the rights of IDPs; Creating a legal framework upholding the rights of IDPs; Developing a national policy on internal displacement;

9 Designating an institutional focal point on IDPs; Encouraging national human rights institutions to address internal displacement; Ensuring that IDPs participate in decision making; Supporting durable solutions; Allocating adequate resources to address internal displacement; and Cooperating with the international community when national capacity is insufficient National responsibility in internal displacement UNHCR Handbook on IDPs

10 Impact of Refugees / IDPs Social Child labor; Increased crime ratio; Transnational spreading of arms; Increased unethical practices to obtain nationality Burden on educational institutions; Effects on livelihoods; Increased environmental pollution; Social disorder and distress

11 Impact of Refugees / IDPs Economic Increased burden on national economy besides international aid Cheap labor in construction, housekeeping and catering affecting the wages of local nonskilled workers and benefiting entrepreneurs Increased demand of rentals and facilities Unauthorized and non costumed material transportation Political Deteriorated law and order situation Sanctuary to rebel organizations Bilateral tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan Additional burden on authorities to provide assistance and maintain the situation

12 Role of Pakistan Red Crescent Society PRCS being a national society remained actively involved in support of Afghan refugees in 80s and later to IDPs as result of military operations in agencies. Over 5 million people have been displaced since 2007 as result of collective violence and clashes between Taliban and military forces PRCS have been part of support operation in Swat, South Waziristan, Kurruam, Khyber/Bara and NWA for Afghan refugees initially and later for IDPs as well

13 PRCS Role with Afghan Refugees Support in 80s and 2001 onwards in collaboration with ICRC and IFRC PRCS had established First Aid Posts in 7 x Agencies (Bajour, Wana, Miranshah, Torkham, Parachinar, Tall and Muhammad Ghat) with provision of doctors, dispensers and free medicines to the visiting Afghan Refugees Patients were also transported to the hospital through provision of free ambulance service A 100 bedded paraplegic and tetraplegic hospital was also established with support of ICRC to provide medical assistance to the disabled refugees by PRCS doctors

14 PRCS Role with Afghan Refugees Rehabilitation Support PRCS had also run a disability Project with support of UNHCR for the rehabilitation and treatment of disabled Afghan Refugees Support Post 9/11 PRCS with support of IFRC had also provided assistance to the Afghan Refugees through provision of Food, NFIs and other shelter items in 10 x Camps of all Agencies of FATA

15 IDPs Operation 2009 Peshawa r Lowe r Dir Charsadda Kohat Upper Dir Malakan d Nowsher a Marda n Attock Swat Swabi Shangl a Buner Haripur Mansehr a Abbottabad Islamabad Rawalpindi Maximum Capacity at Camps Malakand-1 7,932 Malakand-2 3,000 Swabi-1 12,776 Swabi-2 7,386 Lower Dir-1 3,772 Lower Dir-2 2,857 Lower Dir-3 2,815 Nowshera 2,550 Total 45,500 indv. Total Beneficiaries: 300,000 - Worth: PKR mil

16 Internally dislocated persons Food Distributions: PRCS:- 1,900 food items among 1,900 families(22,800 indiv.) PRCS/WFP:- 32,000 families (122,444 packages distributed over 7 months of period) 384,000 indiv.

17 Internally dislocated persons Non Food: PRCS: 8,000 NFIs among 8,000 families, 96,000 indiv. PRCS/DRC:- 18,000 blankets amongst 5,930 families, 71,160 indiv. PRCS:- 11,000 HH winterised package (including 10,000 blankets donated by TIKA), 132,000 indiv. PRCS/GRC/DRC: 483 packages among 483 families, 5,796 indiv. Health and Care: 05x ambulances, 8 x MHUs, assisted 186,926 indiv.

18 Internally Dislocated Persons WatSan: PSP: PRCS/ICRC: 8,313 indiv. assisted with 21 storage tanks & taps, 101 pit latrines, 20 WC latrines, repair of 14 latrines PRCS/Telenor: 60,477 indiv. assisted with 55 water pumps, 70 water tanks, 30 Pour Flush Latrines with septic tanks Assisted 26,437 indiv. 73 cricket and 65 foot ball teams established, catharsis and awareness sessions

19 Internally Dislocated Persons Restoring Family Links 02 cases closed positively, 23 in process, 09 RCM delivered Mine Risk Education 601 EMRE sessions among 18,716 indiv. 11,000 leaflets distributed.

20 Internally Dislocated Persons ,000 Families (1,224,000 people dislocated) PRCS reached out with NFIs, cooked food, dry ration food packs, drinking water, sanitation& hygiene services, emergency health with medicines, restoring family links, SLP, football teams and psychosocial activities Beneficiaries so far: 666,926 people 20

21 Major Concerns Working Environment Humanitarian working environment in Pakistan is volatile. Fragile security, and access to beneficiaries is a challenge Social as well as economic challenges Source of insecure Environment Some of refugees camps are a constant source of concern being a breeding ground for militants and terrorist. Public opinion against some refugees especially after horrifying terrorist incidents (Army Public School incident of Peshawar, KP Province) where 138 School going children and 12 female and male teachers were brutally killed.

22 Major Concerns Socio Economic Over 3 decades long stay of refugees has affected socio economic conditions of Pakistan Involvement of some refugees in many undesired activities from theft, extortion, smuggling, murder cases As per Solution Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR) agreed b/w Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and UNHCR, Afghan Refugees can stay in Pakistan till December However, repatriation is not moving forward as expected and it is likely to take many more years Reintegration of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan will not be possible due to number of socio economic reasons. Acceptability of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan is reducing by every day Burden sharing mechanism where Afghan refugees can be settled in other countries is really low, slow and discouraging.

23 Major Concerns Infrastructure Large scale destruction of property and infrastructure in affected agencies due to military operations Destruction of educational and health facilities either as result of military operation or by Taliban terrorists Government Capacity and its Support Inability of government to rehabilitate affected community with reasonable level of restoration of facilities Inability to provide safe and secure environment for IDPs to return back Wide gap between needs and service delivery Absence of skilled agencies to handle crises. Authorities like SAFRON and FDMA are not well trained and resourced. From registration of IDPs to their verifications remained a challenge

24 Way Forward Avoid creating environment that will lead to creation of IDPS or Refugees Afghan Refugees Voluntarily gradual repatriation is best solution. However, no major results due to uncertainty in Afghanistan Reintegration of returnees in Afghanistan through creation of opportunities in economic and social sectors Capacity building of Afghan government by international community in health and sanitation, education, provision of water, livelihood, electricity and development of road and communication infrastructure. Community based development to have community s involvement and stakes Support of various programs to ensure sustainability of returnees IDPs Creation of safe and secure environment for return Rebuilding of education, health and other communication infrastructure destroyed as result of military operations/ Taliban activity Rehabilitation through active support, support in livelihood, shelter and creation of economic zones Gradual de induction of armed forces and replacement with civil administration to run the system Reintegration programs for ex Taliban in society

25 Thanks

26 Yearwise Population of Afghan Refugees YEAR FAMILIES INDIVIDUALS ,067 1,148, ,130 1,953, ,404 2,137, ,601 2,069, ,311 1,907, ,538 2,067, ,114 2,125, ,497 2,157, ,683 2,238, ,928 2,242, ,971 2,219, ,328 2,241, ,542 1,209, ,282 1,128, ,498 1,095, ,064,565

27 Yearwise Population of Afghan Refugees YEAR FAMILIES INDIVIDUALS ,992 1,043, ,891 1,154, ,564 1,127, ,798 1,227, ,929 1,226, ,138 1,267, ,755 1,182, ,810 1,205, ,824 1,072, , , , , , , , , , ,432