UNHCR OCM Afghanistan, P.O.Box 3232, Kabul, Afghanistan RETURN. Information Update. January 1-15, 2003

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1 UNHCR OCM Afghanistan, P.O.Box 3232, Kabul, Afghanistan Date: January 15, 2002 Issue No. 25 RETURN Information Update January 1-15, 2003 Security: The overall security situation has been stable throughout Afghanistan, but criminal activities, including highway robbery, break-in, car-jacking and looting in various parts of the country has remained a source of concern. Central Region (Kabul, Bamyan,Parwan, Kapisa, Wardak, Logar): The situation in the region has been generally calm, except for a few incidents; On January 2 nd, a UN vehicle was stopped and robbed at gun point by armed men in Sallar, Saidabad district of Wardak province. On January 4 th, a bomb was discovered and detonated by ISAF mine detection squad in Chehelsotoon area, south of Kabul City at a toilet in a school, which is used for winter courses. A returnee from Kuwait was the victim of armed robbery in Deshabz, Kabul. Another incident of armed robbery was reported in Pul-e-Alam, Logar. Ghazni : On January 7 th, one person was killed in an explosion while placing a bomb at the district administrators office in Nawa district of Ghazni province. Eastern Region (Kunar, Laghman, Nangharhar, Nooristan): The Eastern region has been quiet except for a couple of criminal incidents; two cars were stopped by armed men on the Kabul-Jalalabad road, injured the drivers and stole their belongings. There were also reports of two house break-ins and robberies, one in Joi - Haft area, on the outskirts of Jalalabad, and the other in the west of the Jalalabad City. On January 7 th, In Assadabad in Kunar province, seven (7) shops were robbed by gunmen in the main Bazaar of the city around midnight. Western Region (Badghis, Ghor, Herat, Farah): The security situation has been generally calm with no reports of fighting in the Shindand area. Criminal activities, however, is the main security problem in the area with at least four murders in the Herat City. Northern Region (Badakhshan, Takhar, Kunduz, Baghlan, Samangan, Balkh, Jawzjan, Faryab, Sar-I-Pul): The process of disarmament is continuing in Khulm District and up to now they have collected 150 weapons. On January 2 nd, an NGO office was robbed at 6:30 in the evening by armed people, during this time two international staff were present at the premises. Police arrested a number of armed persons who they believe were responsible for the robbery in Mazar City.

2 Southern Region (Uruzgan, Zabul, Kandahar, Helmand and Nimroz): The rising crime rate involving shooting, car-jacking and other criminal activities is a serious cause for concern in the South. In the past two weeks, there were at least three incidents of armed men stopping and carjacking vehicles belonging to aid agencies in the area. These occurred in Norak between Ghazni and Qalat, on the road from Mizan to Qalat, and in Nawbahar on the main road from Shamulzayi Centre to Nawbahar. Repatriation: The Voluntary Repatriation Centre in Takhtabaig, on the edge of Peshawar, will close on January 31. The last day of providing assistance to Afghan refugees who wish to return to Afghanistan will be January 30 th. The Takhtabaig VRC was the last VRC operating in Pakistan after VRCs in Karachi and Balochistan closed last September because of declining numbers of returnees. UNHCR will resume assisting repatriation on March 1 from Pakistan, and further details will be provided before that date. Refugees not seeking UNHCR assistance can return to Afghanistan at any time. UNHCR assistance for Afghans seeking to return from Iran will continue without change. Note: The Pul-I-Charkhi distribution centre is open from Tuesday to Friday, and closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Returnee families going to the north, Northeast and Northwest should receive their first cash grant at Pul-I-Charkhi. Travel Assistance: The returnees will be paid between 5 to 30 US dollars depending on the distance of their final destination. Those coming from Iran to Heart City will not be entitled to any assistance as they are transported by Iran up to the border, and by MOR from Islam Qala to Heart City. Children under one year old will be entitled to only half the amount paid to adults. The assistance will be limited to 7 persons per family. Food and Non Food Assistance: A returnee family of 2 to 3 persons receives 25kg. of wheat, one plastic sheet, 0.5 Kg. of Soap and 2sqm hygienic cloth Returnees with 4 8 family members are entitled to 50kg. of wheat, 2 plastic sheets, 1 Kg. of Soap and 2sqm hygienic cloth. Families with 9 15 members receive 75kg. of wheat, 4 plastic sheets, 2 Kg. of Soap and 4sqm hygienic cloth. Returnee families with 16 or more members receive 100kg. Of wheat, 4 plastic sheets, 2 Kg. of Soap and 4sqm hygienic cloth. 2

3 Although the NFIs are family packages, singles can team up to benefit from the small family package and divide the items. Message to Returnees: Health: Afghans returning from Iran and Pakistan are requested to have with them the vaccination cards of their children. Vaccination against measles is being done at Herat transit centres. Parents should ensure that their children are vaccinated before they leave the transit centre. Education: All students must bring their school certificates from the country of asylum. Returnees from Pakistan should have their certificates verified by the Afghan consulates in Peshawar, Karachi or Quetta, and in Afghan Embassy in Islamabad. There s a concern in Afghanistan about fake certificates acquired in Pakistan. The ruling also applies to the returnees from Iran who want to register at Afghan universities. University Entrance Exams in Afghanistan: The first round of entrance exams were held on 31 st of December 2002 (10 th Jadi 1381) in 18 different provinces all around the country simultaneously in which student participated. The students who took part in these exams were high school graduates who had completed their high school education inside the country. In Kabul City, 4210 students took the exams. The second round, which is crucial to returnees from abroad, as well as those individuals who have completed high school in previous years and now would like to try their chances is to be held 26 th January (6 th Dalwa 1381). All those students who have completed 12 th grade in high schools in other countries are to have their certificates verified at Afghan Embassies or consulates prior to taking the exams. All Afghan Embassies/Consulates have the list of high school graduates in their respective country of asylum, and verify the certificates against the list. The lists of high school graduates from the countries of asylum are sent to the Afghan Ministry of Education. Each student has to reverify their certificates at the directorate of secondary education, and after confirmation from Ministry of Education, the lists of all graduates are sent to Ministry of Higher Education. The Ministry of Higher Education issues exam registry cards (at Istiqlal High School in Kabul), on January 15 th 25 th of Jadi 1381, to the ones whose names have been sent to the Ministry of Higher Education. One photo is attached to the card. Apart from the Centre (Kabul) entrance exams will also take place in four other provinces that are Nangarhar, Kandahar, Heart and Mazar-I-Sharif simultaneously. 3

4 There will be a total of 210 questions in four sections of the exams (maths and physics, natural sciences, religion and languages, and social sciences). The time to solve them will be approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes. All exam papers are prepared computerized, and each individual will have to select three fields of study. The exam papers will be checked by computer in Iran and then the results will be announced. Shelter: To help returnees in their initial phase of reintegration, UNHCR planned and implemented shelter programme for nearly 40,000 families in For the year 2003 the UNHCR is planning shelter for 60,000 families. The shelter project is NOT for every returnee family but only for the neediest of the needy, who have been identified from IDP returnees, returnees, and the returnee receiving communities. The beneficiaries are selected with the help of local Shuras and UNHCR partners. They have to build the shelter on their own land or property, in their place of origin. Shelter (a standard two-room, one corridor and one latrine unit) programme is a self-help assistance, and while building material (timbres, lintels, doors, windows and tool kits) is provided by UNHCR, the beneficiaries should do the building work themselves. The recipients are also entitled to a sum of money or food for work for standard and domed type shelters. Important Message : Refugees prior to their voluntarily return should note that: 1. Shelter programme is only for the neediest of the needy. 2. UNHCR shelter programme is not for every and all returnee family 3. The conditions for benefiting from the shelter project are; for the returnees to be in their village of origin, be identified through the help of local Shuras and UNHCR partners, and to build the shelter on their own land or property. 4. From about 2 millions returnees in the year 2002, UNHCR could only provide about 40,000 units of shelter for returnees. 5. In the year 2003, UNHCR will only provide 60,000 units of shelter for returnees. United Nations Agencies Support Government Efforts to Tackle Whooping Cough in Northeastern Afghanistan Following the news of an outbreak of whooping cough (Pertussis) in parts of Badakhshan, an emergency team of the Afghan Ministry of Health, the United Nations Health Organisation (WHO), and the Aga Khan Development Network/Focus have launched intensive efforts to treat the affected and contain the outbreak, which is threatening the lives of an estimated 40,000 infants and young children. In early November last year, whooping cough was confirmed by WHO in Kufob in Wakhan District, Badakshan. Since then the antibiotic drug has treated more than 2000 children and mothers. The disease has also spread to Darwaz district, which is north of Wakhan. Vaccines and vaccination equipment procured by the United Nations Children s Fund (UNICEF) has also been rushed to the area. The equipment and vaccines will allow Darwaz district health workers to provide accelerated immunisation 4

5 services to the population. Training in administering vaccinations is also being provided by the team. The joint effort to address the outbreak, which is spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, has received support from Tajikistan, which in some cases provides the only point of entry into some of mountainous Badakshan s villages. Emergency assistance for Darwaz is being facilitated at both sides of the border. The World Food Programme, the United Nations Joint Logistics Centre for Afghanistan (UNJLC) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Tajikistan are also lending assistance by providing air and road transport for supplies and team members. The Afghan military and the United Nations have also been providing logistical support. According to the UN Health Organization (WHO), so far more than 500 children have been treated in two villages in Darwaz where an emergency clinic has been set up. Sufficient supplies of erythromycine and other antibiotic drugs, procured by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), have now reached Darwaz to treat and protect those 40,000 children at risk. In addition 20 volunteers have been trained to administer vaccinations and have gone back to their communities to administer erythromycine to both those with whooping cough, as well as those at risk of infection. By providing preventive treatment to the whole population aged up to 15 years old further transmission can be prevented. National Winter Preparedness Efforts: The Afghan government, the United Nations agencies and other aid organisations have been busy in the past weeks to protect the vulnerable and the needy from winter hardships throughout the country. It is estimted that more than 550,000 people may face severe hardships during the cold season, including 290,000 recent returnees and 260,000 internally displaced Afghans. Winterisation - Central Region: the number of vulnerable people in the winter plan has increased due to more funds being made available by donors. Due to these efforts, the number of beneficiaries in Central Area of Afghanistan has doubled. The 23,000 beneficiary families initially targeted in the central area have now increased to 66,000. Non-Food Items: The distribution of non-food items (NFIs) continues. In Kabul city over 2,000 families received NFIs. The winter plan aims to cover 12,000 families. In Kabul province, over 8,000 families received their NFI s. In Logar all 4,100 families targeted have received their NFI assistance. In Kapisa over 5,000 families received NFIs, which is more than planned. In Parwan, over 3000 families received assistance, which is 48 per cent of the plan. In Wardak the distribution of NFIs has only started recently. Overall, the non-food item programme for winter in central area of Afghanistan is half way through. Coal distribution also continues: To date over 6000 families have received coal in Kabul city, which is 50 percent of planned 12,000 families. In Logar province the distribution of coal 5

6 started on 2 January and in provinces such as Kabul, Kapisa, Parwan and Wardak the distribution of coal is ongoing. Food Items: According the World Food Programme (WFP), 70,000 MT of food will be required for areas with vulnerable populations. As of 30 th December, that Agency dispatched all food commodities to implementing partners, and 11,200 MT were distributed to the beneficiaries. The distribution of food commodities to beneficiaries will continue in January and February 2003, in accordance with distribution plans prepared by WFP Area Offices and implementing partners. Cash for Work: In addition to material assistance, steps have been taken to provide cash for work as part of winter assistance. As of 4 th January 48 percent of 14,000 identified families in Kabul City have been involved in cash-for-work projects, which includes labour intensive public activities such as road building and repair. And in Parwan province all the planned 200 families have benefited from the programme. The purpose of these activities is to make people self sufficient through the winter by enabling them to purchase the items they require to cover their basic winter needs. These projects were agreed in line with the government policy while providing assistance to vulnerable people in the winter, cash for work projects should also inject money in the local economy. The job opportunities are announced by the mosques and local Shuras. The daily pay is 70 Afghanis, which is slightly lower than the market rate of 90 Afghanis. This is actually done on purpose so that these projects can absorb those vulnerable persons, who have been left out of the job market. The duration of work is minimally two months. So far in Kabul city 8000 people have benefited from these cash for work activities for winter. These projects usually involve rubble removal from destroyed houses, canal cleaning, stove production, and the production of quilts, and children clothes by women. There is also a wire mesh cage making activity. 91,000 people are expected to benefit indirectly from these projects in Kabul City alone. It is estimated that 14,000 individuals from 14,000 families will working in these projects, and therefore their family members totalling some 91,000 will derive benefits. Cash for work activities are currently going on in all 14 sub-districts of the city. The projects are all implemented by NGOs, which include MEDAIR, Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED), Shelter for Life, Mercy Corps, Care, Caritas and Church World Service (CWS). Cash for work activities are also going on across the country. Winterisation - Eastern Region: UNHCR: The total number of beneficiaries considered for the Winterisation programme in this region is 3,000 families of which, 1000 are returnee and 2000 are IDP families. So far 2,514 beneficiary families in the region (486 families in Laghman province, 42 families in Kunar province, 1871 families in Nangarhar province and 115 families in Nooristan 6

7 province) have been selected. UNHCR SO Jalalabad has 1000 plastic sheets, 5200 blankets, 490 tents and 304 MT of Coal in stock for the winterisation process for the families. Distribution: UNHCR will commence distribution of the winterization items on 15 January 2003, which will take place in three groups: Group A: It includes five districts of Nangarhar province (Khogyani, Hesarak, Darai Noor, Pachir Agam), all districts of Kunar and Nooristan provinces and three districts of Laghman province (Alishang, Aligar and Dawlat Shah). The beneficiaries in these districts are 1,200 families who will receive coal, stoves, blankets and family kits. Group B: Group B inlcudes nine districts of Nangarhar (Nazyan, Durbaba, Khewa, Samarkhil, Farm-e-Hada, Goshta, Hisar Shahi, Kama and Surkhrud) and two districts of Laghman (Qarghaee and Mehtarlam). There are 1,000 beneficiary families who will receive plastic sheets, Blankets and family kits. Group C: This group includes 300 families to be identified in the region who will receive Tents, Blankets and family kits. * UNICEF: UNICEF is providing UNHCR with some non-food items to be distributed to the beneficiaries. These items include sweaters, gloves, jackets, plastic shoes, socks, and winter boots for children and women, and tents, soaps and detergent powder. * WFP: WFP has selected 29,655 beneficiaries in Nangarhar, 6,798 beneficiaries in Nooristan, 16,042 beneficiaries in Kunar and 42,182 beneficiaries in Laghman provinces. The beneficiaries will receive 50 Kg of wheat, 12.5 Kg of pulses and 3.7 Kg of cooking oil every 12 days for their work in various rehabilitation projects such as road construction, wells, Karez and Canals cleaning. Distribution of the assistance started in November and is expected to be completed by 30 th January. WFP, so far has distributed 763 MT of wheat, MT of pulses and 90.1 MT of cooking oil in the region. Winterisation - Southern Region: A total of 30,000 families will be assisted in the region. UNHCR: Distribution of UNHCR assistance in the south is already in progress. UNHCR has started the distribution of 21,414 units of quilts, blankets and stoves, and 78,712 litres of Kerosene to Panjwai and Maiwand IDPs, Almadina camp of IIRO (International Islamic Relief Organization), Al-Akhtar, Wami, new IDP camps of Spin Boldak in Kandahar, Mukhtar IDPs in Hilmand and to IDPs and vulnerable families in Zabul. Some of the beneficiaries have received IIRO and IOM kits as well. These kits include sweaters, scarves, socks, quilts and blankets. UNHCR has distributed 7 types of clothing which included 26 clothing bags and 20,852 pcs of sweaters, shoes, coats, jackets, shirts, socks and children clothes in Spin Boldak IDP camps to 3,714 families and in Zabul province to 2,500 families. 7

8 The UNHCR standard winterisation assistance package includes 1 kerosene stove/heater, 20 litres of kerosene oil, 1 quilt and 1 blanket, the distribution of which is going on to 1,100 returnee families in Kandahar, 300 returnees in Hilmand and 2,500 IDPs in Uruzgan. UNHCR has the capacity to distribute this package to 4,868 more beneficiaries in Kandahar. * UNICEF: UNICEF has donated 4,675 Children Sweaters, as well as 19,500 pairs of Children Socks and 600 pairs of children shoes to be distributed to the students of IDP school in Zari Dasht. * WFP: WFP has promised to donate 24 MT of food items to be distributed to the beneficiaries. * Korean donation: It includes 150,000 pcs of clothing, which would be distributed to the beneficiaries in Panjwai IDP camp of Kandahar in the near future. * CRS (Caritas Relief Services): CRS has provided 500 tents and 1,650 blankets for distribution in Mukhtar IDP camp of Hilmand province * GUARDIANS: Guardians will provide assorted clothing for 3,000 beneficiaries at Zari Dasht, and has promised to allocate 1,000 winter assistance packages (lantern, blankets, kitchen utensils, Jerry cans, etc ) to a location that is not already being assisted, and is willing to target UNHCR selected beneficiaries. Winterisation Western Region: Ghor:500 wood stoves have been dispatched to Chaghcharan which completes the total allocation of winter assistance package to this province. The selection of beneficiaries in the district of Dolaina, Tulak, Saghar, Pasaband has been finalized and distribution has started. Herat: survey has been completed in seven districts of Hirat Province, namely Kohsan, Obeh, Ghorian, Zendajan, Pasthun Zargun, Chitshti Sharif and Karukh, and 734 families who will benefit from winter assistance have been identified. Distribution is near completion. Farah: The beneficiarie selection group has identified 412 families (the total so far out of 1,1610), and the distribution of winter packages is being done. The selection process is still on-going. Badghis: 300 families have been identified in Lahman valley, 205 families in Sangi Atesh and 188 families in Moghor district. Distribution of winter packages to these families is ongoing. The beneficiary selection in the remaining districts of Badghis province is underway. Winterisation- Northern Region: UNHCR: UNHCR started distribution of winterization assistance to 24,000 beneficiary families in the Northern region on 09/12/02. The distribution still continues in collaboration with MoRR and MRRD. 8

9 Balkh: 2,000 beneficiary families are registered, and UNHCR has so far distributed 130 tent, 2200 blankets, 300 plastic sheeting and 1430 stoves to the beneficiaries. Faryab: A total of 2,545 beneficiaries have been identified and UNHCR has so far distributed 234 tent, 4,431 blankets, 1,239 plastic sheeting and 1,582 stoves to them. Jawzjan: A total of 1800 beneficiary families have been identified and so far, UNHCR has distributed 75 tent, 1,500 blankets, 150 plastic sheeting and 525 stoves. Sar I pul: The total number of beneficiary families in this province is 2,200, and so far 80 tents, 600 blankets, 80 plastic sheeting and 210 stoves have been distributed. Badakhshan: 500 beneficiary families have been identified in this province and 133 tent, 1,340 blankets, 200 plastic sheeting and 330 stoves have been distributed. Baghlan: In Baghlan province, 851 beneficiary families have been registered and so far 75 tent, 178 blankets, 87 plastic sheeting and 31 stoves have been distributed. Kunduz: There are 3,056 beneficiary families registered in Kunduz province, and so far UNHCR has distributed 168 tent, 354 blanket, 202 plastic sheeting and 177 stoves. Distribution of the winterisation assistance in Takhar and Samangan will start shortly. * WFP: WFP has distributed 1,307 MT of wheat in Balkh, 4,269 MT in Faryab, 190 MT in Samangan, 1,664 MT in Sar-I-Pul, 7,592 MT in Badakhshan and 2,733 MT in Baghlan province. In addition, Sar-I-Pul has received 150 MT of rice as well. * UNICEF: UNICEF has so far distributed 2,050 stoves and 866 tents in Kunduz, and 23,219 blankets, 7,245 family kits, 18,192 soap, 39 mattresses, 1,396 plastic sheeting, 67,80 shoes and socks, 579 tent in Mazar-e-Sharif. * IOM: In Hairatan, IOM has distributed 14,518 blankets, 28,102 clothes, 7,483 cooking sets, 34,701 soap, 1,770 Buckets, 1,644 plastic sheeting, 42,049 shoes and socks, 2,657 stoves and 2,102 tents. * ICRC: ICRC has distributed 12,500 blankets, 2,500 cooking sets, 2,500 soap, 2,500 Jerry Cans, 1,625 Tarps and162 tents in Mazar-e-Sharif. Establishment of Fruit Tree Nursery Projects: Nearly 10,000 people in the districts of Shakardara, Bagrami, Dehsabz and Sarobi in Kabul province benefited from the Fruit Nursery Project, which started by WFP in January this year. It has so far provided employment for 1643 men and women. This project is being implemented on approximately 82 Jeribs of land, which has so for contributed to the region s economic development through improved fruit and forest tree 9

10 nurseries, as well as enhanced learning conditions for people in remote, rural or isolated areas. The orchards and forests are planted with fruit bearing trees such as almond, apricot, peach, mulberry, grape and pear. These planted trees are then distributed among the farmers to promote and rehabilitate fruit production in the four districts. Approximately 50,000 grapevines will be ready for planting in March UNHCR/BBC Programme: UNHCR and the BBC have jointly launched a radio programme specifically aimed at Afghan refugees, IDPs and returnees. The programme deals with the situation in Afghanistan, including security, activities of the Afghan government, United Nations and other aid agencies, various rehabilitation and reconstruction projects being planned or implemented, and the difficulties that the Afghans, especially recent returnees, are facing. Last year nearly two million Afghans returned home after years of exile and displacement, and many more are expected to return home this year. The BBC radio programme is part of UNHCR s efforts to provide an accurate account of the situation in Afghanistan to those wishing to return home, and to offer a forum for a wider debate on all aspects of repatriation and reintegration. The programme, launched on October 19 th, 2002, is broadcast from Saturday to Wednesday (5 Days a week): 1 st edition: 0730 to 800 GMT = 1100 to 1130 Iran time, 1200 to 1230 Afghan time, and 1230 to 1300 Pakistan time. 2 nd edition: to 1230 GMT = 1530 to 1600 Iran time, 1630 to 1700 Afghan time and 1700 to 1730 Pakistan time. The programmes are broadcast on Short wave frequencies of khz (19 meter band, and khz (16 meter band). The programme has a section for the listeners letters. If you have any comments or questions please write to the following addresses and the BBC will include them in the programme: Afghanistan: BBC, Post Box No. 1, Central Post Office, Kabul, Afghanistan. Pakistan: BBC, Post Box 255, University Town, Peshawar, Pakistan. Iran: UNHCR (BBC) P.O.Box No , Mashhad, Iran. For More Information Contact Solmaz Dabiri on (0093) , DABIRI@unhcr.org Or Abdul Qayeum Karim on (0093) , karimaq@unhcr.org 10