December 12, 2008

Overview

 

US plans to send more troops to Afghanistan by summer

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced on Thursday (December 11) that the Pentagon is planning to send three of the four combat brigades requested by commanders into Afghanistan by summer 2009, the Associated Press (AP) reported. In addition to plans to deploy 20,000 more troops in Afghanistan, Gates is also trying to procure thousands of the additional combat forces into the country as soon as next spring. Following a meeting between Gates and Gen. David McKiernan, the commander of US and NATO troops in Afghanistan, both stated that there was a need for a "sustained commitment" by US troops in Afghanistan for the next three or four years. However, both declined to reveal a number on the commitment. The additional 20,000 troops set for deployment next summer will bring the total number of US troops in Afghanistan to around 50,000. There are about 31,000 troops in Afghanistan, currently including 13,500 with the NATO-led coalition and 17,500 training Afghan troops and fighting the insurgency.  Earlier this week, it was reported that amid growing concern among international military leaders regarding an increase in insurgent activity surrounding Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, the US plans to deploy about 4,000 additional troops there early next year, a US general said Sunday (December 7). Brig. Gen. Mark Milley, deputy commander of operations in Afghanistan's east, said that the new forces would be positioned south and west of Kabul in Wardak and Logar provinces.

 

Italy to increase troops; Japan extends fuel mission; Canada confirms mission to end in 2011

Italy said Thursday that the country will temporarily increase its number of troops in Afghanistan by 500 next year in Herat province. Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa told the Senate defense and foreign affairs committees that the commitments made within NATO demand that Italy's contingent in the country should reach the figure of 2,800 for six months in 2009. Many of the Italian troops are based in Herat, bordering Iran. Meanwhile on Friday (December 12), Japan's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean that supports the US-led coalition in and around Afghanistan was extended for another year after the lower house of parliament voted to override the upper house's rejection of the extension. Japan's mission provides fuel and logistical support for American forces operating in the Indian Ocean. However, the bill has proven controversial in Japan, as the country has been an officially pacifist nation since World War II. Separately, on Thursday, Canada reiterated that its mission in Afghanistan will end in 2011, after US Secretary of Defense Gates suggested he would welcome an extension from Ottawa. Canada has a 2,750-strong force in southern Afghanistan and during a visit to Kandahar, Gates praised the role and sacrifices of Canadian forces in Afghanistan since they were deployed in 2002.

 

At least 20 dead in fresh violence; militants attack supply trucks in Pakistan

In Afghanistan's central province of Wardak, at least three civilians travelling by bus on Friday were killed when the bus failed to heed warning shots fired by US and NATO-led forces, officials said. Several other passengers were injured during the incident. However, provincial governor Haleem Fidai said civilians were caught in an exchange of fire between militants and foreign troops. The patrol treated the wounded and a coalition aircraft later evacuated them to international military hospitals. In southern Afghanistan early Wednesday (December 10), US Special Forces mistakenly killed six Afghan police and a civilian during a battle with suspected Taliban fighters, US officials told BBC News. Officials are calling the incident a case of mistaken identity by both sides after Afghan police, thinking it was a Taliban attack, opened fire on US troops after they had killed an armed militant leader in the city of Qalat, the capital of the southern province of Zabul, a US military statement said. A US helicopter then fired on the Afghan security post, destroying it, only later learning of their identities. The incident also wounded 13 others. US military spokesman Col. Jerry O'Hara said, "Coalition forces deeply regret the incident of mistaken fire. Initial reports indicate this was a tragic case of mistaken identity on both parts." Gulab Shah Alikhail, Zabul's deputy governor, said Special Forces did not inform Afghan police. In a separate incident in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, a bomb exploded in a market, killing two civilians, including a seven-year-old child, police said. Nine others were wounded when the device detonated in the center of a market north of Tarin Kowt, the capital of Uruzgan province. On Tuesday (December 9), NATO and Afghan forces killed Mohammad Bobi, a Taliban commander who facilitated suicide bombings and had a history of torturing and kidnapping Afghan civilians in Logar province, during a targeted operation south of Kabul. NATO said Bobi was given the option of surrendering, but attacked forces instead and was killed during an overnight raid. Also in Sangin district of Helmand province, US-led coalition and Afghan forces killed six militants during a security patrol on Monday (December 8). On Sunday, at least 200 militants attacked a depot in the Pakistani city of Peshawar housing hundreds of vehicles used to carry supplies to US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. Peshawar, the main city in the northwest, is a key point along the route from Pakistan's port city of Karachi to Kabul, over which at least 80 percent of supplies for the war in Afghanistan must pass. The rebels torched about 100 trucks with supplies for US forces, including Humvees, in Sunday's attack. Up to 50 vehicles were destroyed in a second attack early Monday morning about 1.2 miles (two km) from the site of the first attack. Analysts say the attacks highlight the vulnerability of the supply line, which passes through a region where paramilitary forces have had little success crushing the militants. According to the BBC, US officials said the attacks were "militarily insignificant." On Thursday, at least two more trucks were destroyed in the latest militant attack in Peshawar on supplies bound for US and NATO forces.


Movement

 

2008: According to UNHCR, fewer Afghan refugees are returning home, while more people are leaving the country for better jobs and security, a trend that may increase regional tension. More than 5 million of 8 million Afghan refugees have returned home since 2002, but the number of those returning is falling, according to UNHCR. Amid pressure from Iran and Pakistan to send home millions of refugees, representatives from UNHCR, about 30 countries and international organizations met in Kabul in mid-November to mobilize support for the sustained return and reintegration of the refugees. (AFP, BBC, Nov-19)

 

UNHCR said in the first week of October that some 251,800 registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran had returned to their homes so far in 2008. Most of those repatriated (248,951) under the UN-assisted voluntary repatriation campaign came from Pakistan, while Iran accounted for 2,929 returns. (UNHCR, Oct-7)

 

Some 2,800 Pakistani families crossed the border into northeastern Afghanistan over the past two months to escape fighting between militants and Pakistani security forces in Bajur region.  Most of the people are reportedly in Kunar province.  (AFP, Sept-19)

 

UNHCR is asking Pakistan to revise its Afghan refugee repatriation plan, as the current plan to repatriate some 2.4 million refugees by the end of next year (2009) is “unworkable” due to persistent insecurity and lack of economic opportunities.  (BBC, Apr-18).

 

2007: UNHCR temporarily suspends the Afghan voluntary repatriation campaign in Pakistan until March 2008 due to seasonal slowdown.  (IRIN, Nov-2).  Pakistan has reportedly extended the deadline to close Jalozai camp until March 2008.  (IRIN, Sep-4).  The UNHCR has asked Pakistan to temporarily suspend closure of Jalozai refugee camp in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) that was originally scheduled to be closed on August 31.  UNHCR said due to the fast approaching Muslim holy month of Ramadan and winter season, conditions were not conducive for the return of some 100,000 camp residents.  UNHCR said any forceful return of these refugees could lead to secondary displacement. 

 

Pakistan is to close all Afghan refugee camps by December 2009 and to repatriate all refugees living in the country.  UNHCR says it has repatriated over 306,000 Afghan refugees from Pakistan so far this year under its voluntary repatriation campaign.  (UNHCR, Aug-10)

 

4.2 million refugees have returned to Afghanistan, and 500,000 IDPs returned home since early 2002.  Close to 3 million of the refugees returned from Pakistan.  2.6 million Afghans remain in Pakistan, including one million in 74 long-term camps. About 1.5 million Afghans returned from Iran. Taking into account unassisted returns, perhaps 600,000 to 700,000 Afghans remain in Iran—up to 30,000 are in seven camps.

 

Iran deported some 85,000 unregistered refugees to Afghanistan during April 21 - May 14, 2007.  Iranian officials say they plan to initially send back 500,000 of over a million illegal refugees in the country.  Earlier this week, Iran said it has reached an agreement with the Afghan government to slow down the pace of expulsions for illegal Afghans living in the country. 

 

Some 200,000 Afghan refugees in Pakistan have returned to their homes under the UN-assisted voluntary Afghan refugee repatriation program since it resumed on March 1, 2007, following a seasonal winter suspension.  Pakistani authorities said voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan that are without proof of registration (PoR) ended in April, and refugees remaining in the country without PoR are now considered illegal and subject to government action.  Repatriation campaign for Afghan refugees with PoR.

 

2006: UNHCR expects to assist 550,000 returnees—400,000 from Pakistan and 150,000 from Iran.  However, so far this year only some 60,000 Afghan refugees have repatriated from Pakistan.  Unassisted returns are a factor from Pakistan and have been a major contributor to returns from Iran. The tripartite arrangement among UNHCR-Afghanistan-Pakistan is good through 2006.  The UNHCR-Afghanistan-Iran Joint Program has been extended into 2007.  Repatriation from Pakistan, halted for the winter, recommenced on March 1.  UNHCR assisted nearly 9,000 refugees in returning from Pakistan and over 500 from Iran during March.  In April 2006, Pakistan closed two long-term camps in NWFP, and two in Baluchistan Province with 250,000 long-term residents.  Refugees in Baluchistan can either return to Afghanistan or relocate to Mohammad Kheil camp near Quetta. Refugees in NWFP are moving to Afghanistan or one of ten camps in NWFP—refugees are pushing for a one-year delay. 

 

2005 plans called for 400,000 Afghan refugees to return home from Pakistan and 200,000 from Iran, down from an earlier 350,000 estimated from Iran. 453,000 returned from Pakistan.  67,000 from Iran were assisted and over 210,000 returned on their own to Iran for a total of nearly 280,000, and a combined Pakistan and Iran total of 733,000—close to the original projection.   

 

2004 plans were for one million to return.  Actual returnees were around 850,000, with 385,000 from Pakistan and 460,000 from Iran, including 80,000 spontaneous returns.  Pakistan closed camps in South Waziristan and all new camps, with remaining new refugees going to Mohamed Kheil camp in Baluchistan Province. 

 

Emphasis in 2003 was on repatriation from old camps and cities in Pakistan to rural areas in Afghanistan.  70 percent of returnees from Pakistan were from cities and 30 percent from camps.  Over a third returned to Kabul, another 10 percent went to other central provinces, and just over 20 percent returned to each of the north and east.  The Southern region received 6 percent and the Western region 4 percent.  The 2003 peak months were June and July.

 

In 2002 over 2.3 million Afghan refugees returned with 2 million assisted by UNHCR.  UNHCR repatriated 1.53 million Afghan refugees from Pakistan, including 125,000 from Baluchistan and 1.4 million from the North West Frontier Province.  82 percent were from urban areas; only 3 percent were from new camps.  265,000 refugees were assisted in returning from Iran; and 10,000 refugees from the central Asian republics. 

 

 

Afghanistan Relief Efforts:  United Nations Coordination Regions

 


 

Central Region

 

Location

Central Region

 
Coordination

 

 

Population

 

 

IDP Movement

 

 

Food

There have been at least six attacks on World Food Program (WFP) food convoys in 2008, and WFP has temporarily suspended food delivery to Daikundi province.(IRIN, May-28)

 

 

Health

Czech Republic-led PRT to begin construction of a new 20-bed facility for the existing Comprehensive Health Clinic in Mohammad Agha in Lowgar province.  (NATO, Apr-24)

 

 

NFIs -Shelter

 

IOM, UNICEF, UNOCHA, & OXFAM

 

Water & Sanitation

 

UNICEF

 

Security

In Wardak province, at least three civilians travelling by bus on Friday (December 12) were killed when the bus failed to heed warning shots fired by US and NATO-led forces, officials said. Several other passengers were injured during the incident. However, provincial governor Haleem Fidai said civilians were caught in an exchange of fire between militants and foreign troops. (BBC, Dawn, Dec-12)

Comments

IOM provided shelter materials to 21 vulnerable families in Bamyan province the week of July 20.  (IOM, Jul-25)

 

East Central Region

 

  Location

East Central Region

Coordination

UNHCR

Population

 

IDP Movement

UN; Government encouraging refugees to return to home provinces to limit burden on Kabul—government land distribution program only in province of origin;

Food

The German Federal Foreign Office is giving another US$1.3 million (1 million Euros) to the UN World Food Program (WFP) to provide basic necessities to people in particularly remote areas of Afghanistan during the winter. Germany’s winter aid for Afghanistan amounts to US$8.45 million (6.5 million Euros). (Government of Germany, Dec-4)

 

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on Tuesday (December 9) that increasing attacks on food convoys by insurgents are leading to a food crisis. The attacks force convoys to take longer routes, thus increasing the cost of transportation and the food itself. Most food prices are already far beyond the reach of ordinary people. Aid agencies fear that the food crisis could exacerbate child malnutrition throughout the country. (UNICEF, Dec-9)

 

The government and the World Bank signed a US$8 million grant agreement to enhance wheat and cereal production by supporting small scale irrigation at the community level.  The Afghanistan Food Crisis Response project focuses on medium-term investments needed to increase food security.  (World Bank, Sep-11)

 

IRC, Action Contra la Faim; WFP

 

Health

The country remains under the national public health emergency declared on January 8, with 30,000 health workers requested to not take leave for the duration of the emergency period. (IRIN, Feb-14)

 

UNICEF, CARITAS, MSF, IFRC, IRC, ICRC

 

Non-Food Items - Shelter

 

UNHCR, ACTED, MSF, IRC, ICRC, IOM

Security

On Sunday (December 7) and Monday (December 8), over 200 militants attacked NATO supply depots in the city of Peshawar, Pakistan, and destroyed about 100 trucks with supplies for US forces in Afghanistan and 50 other vehicles. US officials told the BBC that the attacks were “militarily insignificant.” (BBC, Dec-8)

 

In Logar province on Tuesday (December 9), NATO and Afghan forces killed Mohammad Bobi, a Taliban commander, during a targeted operation. Bobi was given the option to surrender but opted to attack the forces instead, and was killed in the firefight. (The Dawn, Dec-9)

 

Water & Sanitation

An agreement has been signed between the UNHCR and the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) to provide safe drinking water for Afghan returnees from Pakistan and Iran, as well as IDPs.  (UNHCR, Sep. 24)

 

ICRC

Comments

On Monday, NATO forces said that due to the worsening security situation, they would not let up the fight against Taliban insurgents during the winter months. The special focus will be on development projects to win over the population, while many insurgents retreat to Pakistan for the winter. (Reuters, Dec-9)

 

In Panjshir province, an ISAF project provided Gonah Village School in Anaba district with 160 backpacks full of school supplies on Monday (December 1). The order was dropped off at the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) by the school principal. The PRT also dropped off two truckloads of supplies with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in Bazarak district. (NATO, Dec-1)

 

 

Eastern Region

 

 Location

Eastern Region

Coordination

UNHCR, International Islamic Relief Organization;

Population

 

IDP Movement

UNHCR

Food

IRC

 

NATO-led ISAF PRT transported water pipes for a nearly seven-mile-long planned water supply project in Baghlan province.  (NATO, Aug-23)

 

Health

Provincial officials in Khost, Nangarhar and southern Kandahar provinces confirmed hundreds of diarrhea cases due to water contamination from floods. (IRIN, July-11)

 

Non-Food Items - Shelter

 

CWS, UNICEF

 

Security

In Nangarhar province, Afghan commandos, assisted by coalition forces, detained a Taliban militant on Saturday (December 6) who plotted to assassinate a provincial governor in the city of Jalalabad. (CNN, Dec-8)

 

Water & Sanitation

CARITAS; ICRC, UNICEF

Comments

The US said over the weekend that a brigade of between 3,500 and 4,000 extra US troops due to arrive in Afghanistan in January will be deployed in the eastern region as part of continuing efforts to stop militants infiltrating from Pakistan. (BBC, Nov-24)

 

 

 

Northeastern Region

 

  Location

Northeastern Region

Coordination

 

 

Population

 

9,000 active IDPs in North and Northeast

Movement IDPs

 

 

Food

 

Health

Afghan officials and the medical team assigned to the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Panjshir province coordinated with local leaders in two districts to augment health care to 563 people. (GoUSA, Oct. 23)

 

WHO, Merlin, UNICEF, MSF; ICRC

 

Non-Food Items (NFIs) -Shelter

 

UNICEF, ACTED, Refugees Int’l, Mercy Corps

 

Security

 

Water & Sanitation

 

Comments

The Mine Detection Center (MDC), an Afghan NGO, has cleared 1 million square meters of landmines in Afghanistan’s northeastern region since January. According to UNAMA, 165 people have been killed and more than 1100 people have been injured in mine accidents in the four northeastern provinces of Kunduz, Baghlan, Takhar and Badakhshan. (UNAMA, Oct-21)

 

The MoPH has asked the NATO-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Badakhshan for air support to enable medical teams to service otherwise inaccessible areas. (IRIN, Feb-14)

 

 
 

 

 


Northern Region

 

Location
Northern Region

Coordination

UNHCR, IOM

Population

9,000 active IDPs in North and Northeast; 60,000 IDPs from North elsewhere in country.

Movement IDPs

IOM

 

Food

A severe drought has been reported across northern Afghanistan, with the situation being worst in Faryab, Jowjan, Samangan, Saribul and Badghis provinces. Higher-than-normal summer temperatures and a lack of crucial rainfall have left northern rivers at record low water levels, hindering agricultural production and potable water sources. With the added issue of rising global food prices, farming families are unable to purchase basic food items. The governor of Faryab says the province is on the verge of a humanitarian crisis without immediate food aid. Badghis officials say almost all livestock and crops have been lost and more than 200 families are fleeing each day. There are no accurate figures for casualties or losses. Part of a US$404 million joint UN-Afghan appeal announced on July 9 will be used to feed drought-affected populations. (Institute for War and Peace Reporting, Jul-10)

 

Health

MSF, ICRC, UNICEF

 

At least 20 children have died in several districts of northern Balkh and central Daikundi provinces over the past five weeks due to water contamination from floods. (IRIN, July-12)

NFIs –Shelter

IOM, ACTED, Mercy Corps

Security

 

Water & Sanitation

UNICEF, ICRC, DACAAR

Comments

The European Commission’s Humanitarian aid Office and the NGO ActionAid launched a cash for work program in northern Afghanistan on Wednesday (October 22) aimed at providing about 5,000 families with enough food to cover half of their daily requirements through the winter. The program is active in 40 villages in Jawzjan Province ’s Darzab and Qushtepa districts, and in Balkh province’s Dawlatabad and Kaldar districts. (ActionAid, Oct-22)

 

Southern Region

 

Location

Southern Region

Coordination

UNHCR

 

Population

 

Movement of IDPs

Intense military operations against Afghan insurgents in southern Helmand province, especially in Musa Qala district, have caused hundreds of families to flee their homes to neighboring districts and the provincial capital, Lashkargah. (IRIN, Dec-6)

 

Food

UNICEF; Mercy Corps; CARITAS; WFP

 

Health

Members of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction team and of the Kentucky Army National Guard delivered four pre-fabricated medical containers to the Atgar district center. The delivery will help to improve the health care capacity in the province that has only one health care provider so far. (NATO, Dec-6)

NFIs - Shelter

UNHCR, Mercy Corps

 

 

Security

In Helmand province on Monday (December 8), coalition and Afghan forces killed six militants during a security patrol in Sangin district, about 305 miles (490 km) southwest of Kabul. (Reuters, Dec-8)

 

In Uruzgan province, two civilians, including a seven-year-old child, were killed and nine others were wounded when a bomb exploded in the center of a market north of Tarin Kowt, the capital of the province, on Wednesday (December 10). (The News, Dec-11)

 

In Zabul province, US Special Forces mistakenly killed six Afghan policemen and a civilian and wounded 13 others after getting into a firefight with the Afghans on Wednesday, thinking they were Taliban fighters, in Qalat, the capital of the province. The US troops were on a raid targeting a militant commander. (AP, BBC, Dec-12)

Water & Sanitation

UNICEF

Comments

On Monday (December 1), Afghan and coalition forces celebrated the opening of a new bridge near Kandahar city. The project was funded through the Commanders’ Emergency Response Program, which provides funds for projects to meet urgent needs of the population. The bridge was completed within a few weeks despite death threats against the workers. (US Government, Dec-3)

 

Afghan authorities this week arrested 10 Taliban insurgents accused of throwing acid in the faces of school girls and teachers in Kandahar earlier this month. (Reuters, BBC, Nov-25)

 

 

 

Southern Region IDP camps

 

Location

Zhare Dasht - South of Kandahar – 6 camps

Type

IDP Camp

Coordination

UNHCR

Camp Capacity

30,000; expandable to 60,000

 

Population

 

125,000 IDPs in south; 48,500 at Zhare Dasht

 

Movement IDP

 

Food

WFP

Health

UNICEF, MSF

 

NFIs – Shelter

 

Security

 

Water & Sanitation

UNICEF

Comments

Support for Spin Boldak camps terminated in 2004.

 

 

 

 

Western Region

 

Location

Western Region

Coordination

UNHCR; ICMC

Population

According to the IFRC, flash floods and avalanches in early March affected some 200 families in Herat city; 918 families in Gulran district; 35 families in Cheshte Sharif district; 150 families in Shindand district, 6,500 families in Badghis/Jawand and Murghab districts, and 20 families in Gour district. (IFRC, Mar-23) 

 

12,000 IDPs, mostly in Maslakh camp

Movement IDPs

IOM

 

Food

IRC, CARITAS, UNICEF, World Vision, IOM, Action Contre la Faim; WFP

 

Provincial officials are seeking 1,733 tons of food aid to feed some 100,000 most vulnerable people affected by rising food prices in Ghor province. (IRIN, May-19)

 

Health

At least three people were killed in an outbreak of highly contagious Viral Hemorrhagic Fever in Herat city that was first reported on August 25, according to the Ministry of Public Health. Officials confirmed 10 suspected cases as of August 27 and said most of the infected were butchers, shepherds or others involved with animals. The patients were put in quarantine. (IRIN, Aug-27)

 

 

Non-Food Items (NFIs) – Shelter

Islamic Development Bank (IDB) distributed some 12,500 blankets and 150 tents to some 2,500 families in Herat.  (FP, Apr-22)

 

Security

In Herat province, US-led coalition and Afghan forces killed three armed militants and arrested two others during a search operation on December 5. (AFP, Dec-5)

 

The News reported on Thursday (December 11) that Italy will temporarily increase its number of troops in Afghanistan by 500 as a reaction to the deteriorating security situation in Herat province. (The News, Dec-11)

Water & Sanitation

UNICEF

Comments

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) inaugurated an upgraded Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) radio station and a media center in Qal-i-Naw district in the province of Badghis. IOM installed an AM transmitter and studio, with funding from the Spanish government. The new equipment has allowed the station to broadcast to every district in the province. (IOM, Oct. 24)

 

 

Refugee Camps in Pakistan

 

Location

Long-term camps in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), NWFP, Baluchistan Province, and by capital, Islamabad; Mohamed Kheil 1 & 2 camps (85 km southwest of Quetta)

Type

Refugee Camps

 

Coordination

Afghanistan, Pakistan and UNHCR on August 2 extended the tripartite agreement governing the voluntary repatriation of registered Afghans from Pakistan through December 2009. The agreement provides a legal and operational framework for the process. To date, more than 3 million Afghans have returned from Pakistan under the voluntary repatriation program since 2002. This year, more than 300,000 Afghans have returned. (UNHCR, GOP, Aug-2)

 

The Kacha Garhi Afghan refugee camp was officially closed on July 26, 2007.  Kacha Garhi, set up in 1980 and located in Hayatabad in NWFP, had 64,000 registered Afghans.  The closure followed two years of negotiations, as many refugees initially did not want to repatriate.  By the camp's closure, some 37,000 refugees had been repatriated by the UNHCR.  Most refugees were originally from Afghanistan's eastern and central provinces of Nangarhar, Laghman, Kabul, and Logar. (UNHCR, July-27)

 

Camp Capacity

About one million mostly long term Afghans in 74 camps—down from about 200 camps.

 

Population

2.05 million registered Afghans remaining in Pakistan; 63 camps in NWFP, 12 in Baluchistan; and one million elsewhere; Many occupants are long-term residents or were born in Pakistan; (UNHCR, Aug-2)

 

Jungle Pir Alizai (Balochistan): 36,000, originally scheduled to close June 15.

 

Kacha Gari (NWFP): original population of 64,811, officially closed July 26 – 37,000 repatriated. (UNHCR, July-27)

 

Jalozai (NWFP): 109,934, originally scheduled to close August 31.  UNHCR on August 22 requested Pakistan to temporarily suspend the camp’s closure due to insufficient time for some 100,000 people to move and settle into new places in the face of the fast approaching Ramadan and winter season. (UNHCR, Aug-22)  The deadline was extended to April 15 due to the impending winter. According to IRIN, at least 352 have left Jalozai so far in March.  (IRIN, Mar-20)

 

Girdi Jungle (Balochistan): 17,844, scheduled to close August 31.

(IRIN, June-14)

Refugee Movement

 

Food

WFP, CRS, ARC

Health

UNICEF, MSF

Non-Food Items (NFIs) - Shelter

CRS

Security

 

Water & Sanitation

IFRC, MDM

Comments