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Regional Refugee Response Plan for Afghanistan Situation 2023: Final Report

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Regional Situation Overview

The humanitarian and protection outlook for Afghans and host communities in neighbouring countries continues to be impacted by challenging socio-economic dynamics, the developing situation in Afghanistan, and policy shifts, including in relation to the issuance of documentation and inclusion in national services.

In Iran, the challenging socio-economic situation not only impacts the provision of inclusive services through national systems but, more generally, leaves Afghans struggling to make ends meet. As of November 2023, Iran’s inflation rate stood at 45.5 per cent , marking the fourth consecutive year where inflation has exceeded 35 per cent. Due to the increase in the price of critical food imports following the depreciation of the Iranian Rial, food prices have been particularly impacted with the Statistical Centre of Iran (SCI) observing an almost 80 per cent rise in the cost of basic food items as of the end of June 2023, putting Iran in the top five countries with the highest rate of food inflation globally.

This difficult socio-economic situation has coincided with a rise in anti-Afghan sentiments, marked by an increase in xenophobic rhetoric and discriminatory behaviour towards Afghans. In addition, instances of arrest, detention, and deportation of Afghans in Iran have steadily increased since 2021. Against this backdrop, there is a growing need to actively engage with, and provide support to, national asylum systems to ensure that Afghans can access transparent and fair asylum procedures. Current dynamics act as a pushfactor for Afghans – particularly undocumented Afghans – to leave Iran. While many may depart as part of a government-facilitated return scheme, purportedly on a voluntary basis, in practice the decision for many is likely influenced increasing difficulties for Afghan nationals to access documentation and livelihood opportunities, and to access public services. This underlines the need to continue supporting Afghan refugees and the Iranian Government to relieve the strain on public services.

Pakistan has been generously hosting millions of Afghans for over 40 years with movements of Afghans over time in both directions. Socio-economic crisis, exacerbated by the aftermath of the pandemic, the flood emergency in 2022, historically high inflation, political instability, and security challenges continue to have a toll in the country. . These factors have further constrained the protection environment for refugees and prospects for operationalizing solutions for both registered refugees, Afghans of other status, and new arrivals. Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to disasters triggered by recurrent natural hazards. In 2022, torrential rains and flash flooding caused extensive damage to housing, schools, and communal buildings in refugee villages and host communities. The impact of this disaster lingered into 2023, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable in the affected districts and adversely impacting the country’s economy.

The announcement of the “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan” (IFRP) on 3 October 2023 led to a deterioration of the protection environment . While the first phase of the plan targeted undocumented Afghans the impact of IFRP was far reaching with Afghan communities reporting that a climate of fear prevented children attending school and curtailed employment opportunities. UNHCR, IOM, and other RRP partners have prioritised advocacy for a suspension of the plan in light of refoulement risks - based on UNHCR’s Non-Return Advisory for Afghanistan - and the establishment of a screening mechanism to identify individuals with international protection needs, or those otherwise at risk, to prevent forced return. As a result of advocacy efforts and engagement with the authorities, some vulnerable families were protected from forced return

UNHCR and IOM report that 490,891 individuals have returned to Afghanistan between 15 September 2023 and 8 February 2024, including over 29,000 being deported. In 2023, over 30,600 Afghans were arrested and detained, with spikes in incidents recorded in October and November. A generalized deterioration of the protection environment following the IFRP has resulted in a surge in demand to enrol in the voluntary repatriation program as well as an increase in unassisted returns to Afghanistan, with returnees reporting fear of arrest, deportation, and harassment by law enforcement agencies as major push-factors. This comes at a time when humanitarian needs inside Afghanistan were already dire before the recent earthquakes and the onset of a harsh winter. Hence, as well as continuing regular response programming providing critical assistance to the most vulnerable to meet their basic needs and mitigate protection risks, in the last quarter of 2023, RRP partners scaled up on protection and advocacy at all levels as a response to the IFRP.

In Tajikistan, the situation for Afghan refugees remains complex. Continued political and security uncertainties in neighbouring Afghanistan directly impact their lives, leading to a protracted refugee situation in Tajikistan. The Government of Tajikistan and RRP partners continue to collaborate to address the multifaceted needs of refugees. UNHCR prioritized enhancing the capacity of government counterparts to effectively manage a potential refugee influx, providing technical and expert capacity building to enhance interagency coordination and information sharing, based on lessons learned in recent years.

While ensuring timely humanitarian assistance remains crucial, UNHCR continues actively promoting effective socio-economic integration of Afghan refugees. Initiatives focused on creating and sustaining livelihood opportunities and provision of vocational training are crucial, equipping refugees with skills and resources required in the local labour market, allowing them to contribute to the local economy, thus advancing selfreliance, inclusion, and social cohesion. Programming sought to facilitate positive interactions between refugees and the host community, addressing refugees’ specific needs and vulnerabilities, including those of women and girls, while promoting and empowering their participation in all aspects of community life. Partners remain committed to working with the Government to address immediate protection needs and promote access to basic services, expand opportunities for socio-economic integration and selfreliance, and advocate for durable solutions, including voluntary return in safety and dignity when feasible.

In Uzbekistan, in 2023, as in previous years, RRP partners did not have official access to this group to carry out systematic needs assessments or protection monitoring. According to the Government some 13,020 Afghan citizens were in the country on short-term visas as of end 2021. Informal communication and local partner assessments, however, currently estimate a population of between 2,000-8,000 people. Given the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, the absence of a national asylum framework in Uzbekistan, and based on the UNHCR Guidance Note on the International Protection Needs of People Fleeing Afghanistan, these Afghans are considered to be in a refugee-like situation. Visa renewal is a significant problem, involving expensive and lengthy processes. Those who do not have a valid passport and visa are excluded from social protection, education, healthcare, and legal employment. Afghans who cannot afford visa renewals, run out of pages in their visas, or turn 16 and need a new visa, must leave the country – risking their lives and safety. Afghan babies born in Uzbekistan cannot obtain passports. Most Afghan citizens in Uzbekistan reside in Termez district, Surkhandarya – the region bordering Afghanistan. In 2023, there have been increasing reports of people being told by authorities that they do not need visas as long as they stay in Termez. However, this has not been officially communicated to the UN or diplomatic community.

RRP partners observed an increasing need for health support, for example unvaccinated children, individuals with stress-related illnesses and vitamin deficiencies, and pregnant women soon to give birth. Where funds permitted, on a temporary case-by-case basis, RRP partners provided cash assistance to cover medical costs, and sought the support of the Ministry of Health to write off some expenses. Building on 2022 efforts, RRP partners continue to advocate with the Government of Uzbekistan for sustainable and systemic solutions to enable Afghan citizens to legalise their stay and access essential rights and services, while providing the most vulnerable with urgent humanitarian assistance.

Turkmenistan adopted its Law on Refugees in 1997 (last amended in 2017), and established refugee status determination procedures in 2009. Since then, however, there have been no asylum-seekers registered with the Government. According to unofficial sources from the Embassy of Afghanistan in Ashgabat and Afghan community leaders in Turkmenistan, there are 4,000 to 5,000 Afghan citizens in the country, most of whom arrived in the early 1990s. While a small number are new arrivals, given the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and the length of stay for most Afghans in Turkmenistan, they are unable or unwilling to return and many have humanitarian and documentation needs, mostly linked to their legal status as non-citizens. In 2023, RRP partners focused on strengthening emergency preparedness, and advocating for safe access to territory and asylum. Given that there has been no refugee influx into Turkmenistan, partners did not receive any direct funding for the 2023 RRP. Preparedness activities were implemented by partners via regular budgets, including from softly earmarked and unearmarked funds.