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Afghanistan

Afghanistan - Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #2, Fiscal Year (FY) 2009

Attachments

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)

Note: The last situation report was dated April 21, 2009.

BACKGROUND

Natural disasters and conflict often converge to undermine progress towards early recovery in many Afghan communities. In other locations, repeated shocks and insufficient response and preparedness mechanisms result in perpetual emergency conditions. In both cases, repeated population movements, whether characterized by loss of working-age community members or the addition of displaced or returning persons to areas with scarce resources, aggravate community vulnerabilities and contribute to instability. According to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), between 250,000 and 260,000 internally displaced persons reside throughout the country. Growing numbers of displaced individuals are returning to areas of origin in the western and northern regions to encounter limited livelihood opportunities and insufficient basic services as a result of both limited humanitarian access due to insecurity and the limited management and response capacities of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA).

On October 20, 2008, U.S. Ambassador William B. Wood re-declared a disaster due to the effects of armed conflict and natural disasters in Afghanistan. To date in FY 2009, USAID/OFDA has provided more than $27 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, bringing total USAID/OFDA assistance since FY 2002 to more than $187 million. USAID/OFDA assistance includes the provision of emergency relief supplies to natural disaster- and conflict-affected Afghans; disaster risk reduction projects that build resilience to future shocks in rural communities; the integrated Kabul Area Shelter and Settlements (KASS) project that addresses urban growth risks and meets humanitarian needs among a growing and vulnerable urban population; and, as a complement to KASS, capacity building efforts within Kabul Municipality.

NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
SOURCE
Internally Displaced Persons in Afghanistan
Approximately 250,000-260,000
UNHCR - July 2009
Refugees in Neighboring Countries
2,833,128
UNHCR - January 2009
Returnees to Afghanistan
Approximately 4.3 million(1)
UNHCR - July 2009

USAID AND STATE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO DATE IN FY 2009

USAID/OFDA Assistance to Afghanistan: $27,057,234

USAID/FFP(2) Assistance to Afghanistan: $59,509,800

State/PRM(3) Assistance to Afghanistan: $41,500,000

Total USAID and State Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan: $128,067,034

CURRENT SITUATION

Exceptional spring flooding and snowmelt, ongoing food insecurity following six years of drought, deteriorating security, and new displacement due to military operations and insurgent activity have generated new humanitarian needs and further entrenched existing needs across Afghanistan. Food insecurity remains most acute in western Afghanistan, but significant flooding in the northeastern region and resulting damage to infrastructure and agricultural lands also raises medium- to long-term food security issues. Since international forces renewed the offensive against insurgents in July, humanitarian organizations report only small-scale displacement, but continue to develop conflict contingency planning. However, a potential increase in violence around the time of the August elections could further impede already limited humanitarian operations. Security remains precarious in the south and southeast and continues to deteriorate in some parts of the historically secure north. According to the independent Afghanistan NGO Safety Office, armed groups carried out 75 attacks against humanitarian staff from January 1 to June 30, including 10 murders and 29 abductions. In

addition, the U.N. Department of Safety and Security has designated 42 percent of the country as very high or extreme risk areas for humanitarian actors. As a result, many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have deemed some areas "no go"-the same areas where humanitarian assistance is most needed.

From January to July, a USAID/OFDA Senior Humanitarian Advisor based in Kabul worked with non-governmental partners and a number of U.S. Government offices to assess humanitarian needs, program additional funding accordingly, facilitate coordination and information sharing among humanitarian agencies, and monitor program progress. In late September, USAID/OFDA plans to establish a long-term presence in Afghanistan

Displacement and Return Trends

Nearly one year ago, UNHCR conducted the Afghanistan National Internally Displaced Persons Profile, estimating the internally displaced population at 235,000 persons. Individuals displaced during the Taliban era constituted between 50 and 70 percent of the total displaced population at the time, indicating a low displacement rate in recent years. The total also included 52,000 refugees returning to the country between 2005 and 2008 but unable to return to areas of origin.

By March 2009, the number of internally displaced persons increased to approximately 275,000 individuals. According to UNHCR, causes likely included sporadic conflict and survival migration-when persistent conditions like drought or conflict exhaust coping mechanisms in rural communities, prompting households to flee to urban centers. The confluence of strained infrastructure and limited livelihood opportunities, particularly in urban areas with substantial refugee returnee populations, create an additional and distinct set of humanitarian needs for new arrivals, according to UNHCR.

Limited access due to difficult terrain or insecurity continues to prevent precise counting in some areas, particularly in the south where the majority of displaced persons reside. However, UNHCR relied on return registrations at the two main camps in the south, as well as new displacement figures following spring flooding and conflict to calculate a revised total displaced population of between 250,000 and 260,000 individuals as of July 6-a decline attributable to spontaneous returns compelled by increasing insecurity in areas of displacement, as well as accelerated UNHCR-supported returns from Zari Dasht camp in Kandahar Province to secure areas of origin in western and northern provinces.

Despite plans to continue apace the voluntary returns program, humanitarian agencies expect the total displaced figure to remain static or increase due to new conflict-related displacement in the south. However, to date, agencies report only small-scale population movements.

From April to June 2009, conflict in pockets throughout southern and western Afghanistan displaced several hundred households, according to the U.N. In July, military operations displaced nearly 2,000 households in eight Helmand Province districts, according to a joint GIRoA-U.N.-NGO assessment. In response, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) is providing one-month food rations and UNHCR is distributing emergency relief supplies from the 5,000 kits prepositioned earlier in the summer as part of conflict contingency planning efforts. On July 31, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted adequate relief supply stocks in the region in the event of additional displacement.

In addition, repatriation assistance continues for the approximately 2.8 million Afghan refugees residing in surrounding countries, primarily Pakistan and Iran. In 2009, UNHCR has assisted 50,000 Afghan refugees to return from Pakistan, a sharp decline from the same period in 2008 due to the conflict in Pakistan and lengthy program suspensions. Approximately 278,000 Afghans returned from Pakistan in all of 2008. On June 11, UNHCR reported the deportation from Iran of more than 183,200 Afghan refugees in 2009, an increase of 33 percent over the same period last year.

In FY 2009, USAID/OFDA supported conflict contingency planning, participating in the Kabul-based Internally Displaced Persons Task Force and providing support to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to preposition emergency relief supplies in Kandahar Province for distribution to displaced persons. In addition, with a $300,000 grant from USAID/OFDA, one NGO partner will conduct internal displacement protection trainings for relevant GIRoA ministries in support of nascent government efforts to improve identification of and assistance to internally displaced individuals. To date in FY 2009, State/PRM has provided more than $38.4 million to UNHCR and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to assist Afghan refugees in Pakistan and conflict-affected and displaced populations in Afghanistan. State/PRM has programmed an additional $3.1 million to support NGO returnee reintegration interventions, as well as basic service provision for refugees and host communities in Pakistan. State/PRM-funded projects prioritize shelter, protection, health, livelihoods, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions.

Economic Recovery and Market Systems and Food Security

The lingering effects of five droughts, record cold and snowfall during the 2007/2008 winter, and sudden global food price increases precipitated a humanitarian crisis in western Afghanistan in early 2008. The sixth consecutive drought followed-the worst in 10 years-resulting in significant livestock, seed stock, and household asset losses for many families. Furthermore, lack of employment prompted many male family members to migrate to urban centers or find sustenance through illicit activities.

Nationwide, 7.4 million Afghans are food insecure, or an estimated 31 percent of the population, according to a July 21 OCHA report. Moreover, while a joint GIRoA-U.N. survey projects cereal and wheat yields to increase over last year by 74 percent and 63 percent, respectively, repeated droughts and ongoing conflict have exhausted coping mechanisms and increased debt among families in Ghor and Herat provinces. Families surveyed by USAID/OFDA partner Catholic Relief Services (CRS) reported planting only 65 percent of average, non-drought-year seed stock and noted the exacerbating effects of accumulated debt and eviscerated livestock holdings on food security.

In response to continuing food insecurity despite overall improved production, USAID/OFDA has provided more than $10 million to CRS to implement cash-for-work projects and other food security interventions in Bamyan, Ghor, and Herat provinces. As part of the program, CRS distributes emergency vouchers to extremely vulnerable households for the purchase of essential items, as well as livelihoods vouchers to farming families for the purchase of inputs and livestock. In addition, with USAID/OFDA support, CRS plans to support women's enterprise groups to improve the purchasing power and food security of female-headed households.

To date in FY 2009, USAID/FFP has provided 62,190 metric tons (MT) of P.L. 480 Title II emergency food assistance, valued at approximately $59.5 million, to WFP countrywide emergency operations.

Floods and Winter: Relief Supplies, Preparedness, and Risk Reduction

According to OCHA, from mid-April to mid-May, persistent heavy rains resulted in significant flooding in 13 northern, northeastern, and western provinces, affecting nearly 42,000 families due to damage to houses, food supplies, agricultural lands, and livelihoods.

In response, USAID/OFDA partner IOM used an existing winterization grant to coordinate with Afghan provincial disaster authorities and other humanitarian organizations to provide emergency relief supplies and shelter materials to affected households. In addition, through a $1.5 million grant from USAID/OFDA, OCHA worked with Afghan disaster management authorities to coordinate an overall, effective humanitarian response.

Following the spring floods, humanitarian agencies across affected areas consistently reported depleted emergency relief supplies and shelter stocks. Therefore, USAID/OFDA field staff engaged partners in contingency planning for a second flooding period expected in July and August along the Amu Darya River. With nearly $5.6 million in additional funding, IOM and ACTED continue to replenish stocks in 10 provinces, while FOCUS prepositions nine new stockpiles in remote, flood-prone areas of the north and northeast. In addition, to augment local government preparedness efforts in Kunduz and Jawzjan provinces, IOM has procured sandbags for reinforcing river banks, as well as fuel for transporting flood mitigation items.

After flood waters recede and at the onset of winter in September, USAID/OFDA partners plan to use current funds to preposition winter kits and shelter materials in communities vulnerable to winter emergencies. According to OCHA, heavy snowfall could isolate 25 percent of all districts. CRS will continue to implement cash-for-work projects in Ghor and Herat provinces to clear snow from critical transit routes.

According to OCHA, natural disasters affect an average of 400,000 Afghans each year, and recurring natural disasters erode resiliency over time barring proactive mitigation efforts. Due to limited access, community and village members often serve as first responders. Therefore, USAID/OFDA programs continue to improve local preparedness and risk reduction mechanisms through trainings and materials transfer. USAID/OFDA has provided FOCUS with nearly $750,000 to implement community-based disaster risk reduction programs in 30 of the most hazard-prone villages in Badakhshan and Baghlan provinces.

Urban Disaster Risk Reduction

The manifold challenges confronting Kabul Municipality result primarily from rapid growth. Since 2001, Kabul's population has tripled in size to nearly 5 million people, creating numerous challenges to urban planning and recovery. In addition to limited capacity to provide basic services and housing, Kabul Municipality lacks the resources to measure and address various disaster risks exacerbated by overcrowded conditions, particularly in the hillside settlements surrounding Kabul center.

In support of Kabul Municipality efforts to meet humanitarian needs and incorporate risk reduction into urban planning, USAID/OFDA funds two SFL programs that build the urban recovery capacity of Kabul Municipality through technology transfer and technical assistance. USAID/OFDA also funds IOM in support of a full-time urban planning advisor who works directly with Kabul Municipality officials and staff.

On June 27, SFL presented the results of a hillside settlements assessment to the mayor of Kabul and USAID/OFDA representatives. With USAID/OFDA funding, SFL worked with local NGOs to map household locations and identify areas for potential service upgrades. The team counted more than 59,000 households living on the hillsides surrounding Kabul, some residing as high as 80 meters above hillside bases,

and mapped a number of hazards, including precariously perched boulders, harmful water and sewage flows, and flood-prone areas. The team also provided maps highlighting degree and nature of vulnerabilities throughout Kabul in the event of an earthquake.

Since FY 2008, USAID/OFDA has provided nearly $13 million to three NGO partners to implement the second phase of the KASS project. The project also addresses seismic risks in both service upgrades and shelter design.

Scheduled for completion in December, phase II of KASS provides 10,000 vulnerable households with viable, seismic-resistant structures. In addition, SFL raises seismic awareness among Kabul residents through school and community activities and media messaging.

To date in FY 2009, USAID/OFDA has provided more than $2.5 million to SFL for urban recovery management capacity building projects and seismic awareness education in Kabul Municipality.

Map: USG Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan (as of 19 Aug 2009)