Attachments
The International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Community Needs Identification (CNI) collects detailed data on the living conditions and needs of Afghan nationals. The information gathered through the CNI is used to guide operational responses by identifying severity in needs and gaps in assistance, facilitating decision-making for programmes aiming to assist Afghan nationals and vulnerable host communities in Pakistan.
The CNI collects data at the settlement level through group interviews with key informants (KIs) and direct observations. During this assessment, IOM collected information in 9,790 settlements across 53 districts (21 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 13 in Punjab, 11 in Balochistan, 7 in Sindh (Karachi) and 1 in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT)). This report, comprising the data collected between 23 February and 30 April 2024, represents the findings of Round 2.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
- The lack of valid documentation among Afghan nationals remains an important barrier to accessing basic services in Pakistan. Throughout the assessment, inadequate documentation emerged as a significant obstacle to accessing fundamental services like employment, education, and healthcare.
- Afghan nationals have seen their living conditions worsen between Round 1 and Round 2 of the assessment. The high cost of services are major obstacles for Afghan nationals in Pakistan, particularly in accessing essential services such as housing, food, healthcare, and education. As highlighted in the household income and debt section, a larger proportion of Afghan households are now in debt and lack sufficient income to meet their basic needs compared to the previous round.
- A provincial comparison demonstrates significant variations in the availability of local services and facilities for Afghan nationals across provinces. Balochistan faces the most severe challenges, particularly regarding access to water, sanitation, and healthcare. Punjab has also shown poor outcomes in food and nutrition as well as education. Karachi stands out with significantly better results in these same sectors compared to other provinces.
- In this second round of data collection, reports of discrimination based on documentation status have increased significantly. This has created additional barriers to accessing employment, housing, and education. The rise in discrimination is linked to the implementation of the "IFRP", which has compelled undocumented Afghan nationals to leave Pakistan due to fears of arrest and detention. Afghan nationals remaining in Pakistan may face increased feelings of exclusion due to their documentation status, negatively affecting their access to basic services and overall quality of life.