Attachments
Description of the Event
Date when the trigger was met
11-11-2023
What happened, where and when?
The latter part of 2023 saw the return of hundreds of thousands of refugees and undocumented Afghans from Pakistan, triggered by the Pakistani government’s 'Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan' (IFRP), which affected an estimated 1.3 million unregistered Afghans and other groups without legal status in Pakistan. (Source: UNHCR Regional Bureau for Asia and Pacific. Emergency Update #9: Pakistan-Afghanistan Returns Response, as of 18 January 2024).
Prior to this announcement, an average of 260 individuals crossed back into Afghanistan daily in 2022 and through the third quarter of 2023. However, from mid-October to November 2023, an average of 5,000 undocumented returnees crossed daily through the Spin Boldak (Kandahar) and Torkham (Nangarhar) border points. The main entry points into Afghanistan are in Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces, as well as other provinces bordering Pakistan: Badakhshan, Helmand, Kunar, Khost, Paktika, Paktiya, Nimrooz, and Zabul. As winter approached in December 2023, there was a notable decrease in the number of returnees.
These returnees, many of whom endured arduous journeys lasting several days, were exposed to severe weather conditions. Their health, safety, and well-being, particularly that of vulnerable groups like women, children, and the elderly, were of paramount concern. Immediate comprehensive support was required, including medical care, adequate shelter, and essential supplies, to address their dire conditions and to mitigate the humanitarian impact of this large-scale population movement. Although Pakistan authorities initially indicated they would not extend the stay of undocumented migrants beyond the original deadline, they later relaxed this policy, specifically for Proof of Registration (PoR) and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, granting an extension until 30 June 2024. This resulted in a significant decrease in returns after their peak in October and November 2023. With the evolving situation, needs and demands shifted.
The IFRC-DREF Operation Strategy underwent adjustments in 2024 for several reasons:
- While early indications projected that many Afghans residing in Pakistan without proper documentation would be deported, this did not materialize as significantly as expected. Pakistan authorities, although initially had indicated they would not extend the stay of undocumented migrants beyond an earlier deadline, later relaxed their policy specifically for PoR and ACC holders, granting an extension until 30 June 2024. Since then, Pakistan authorities have extended the stay of Afghans without proper documentation, and manageable returnees are trickling into Afghanistan.
- Prior to the winter season, it was predicted that there would be a high volume of people returning from Pakistan to Afghanistan. However, once winter arrived in December 2023, there was a notable decrease in the number of people returning. The numbers, especially at border points where ARCS had strategically positioned its services, did not reach their full potential, aside from health-related services.
- According to the border consortium and IOM, most returnees prefer major cities such as Kandahar, Kabul, and Nangarhar. Meanwhile, ARCS reported significant utilization of health services in Kandahar and Nangarhar, attributing this to returnees depleting medical stocks. ARCS mobilized additional support teams to provide medical services in these areas using their own and partner-supported resources.
The 'Operational Strategy' section of this report details the changes.