Pakistan

2013 UNHCR country operations profile - Pakistan

Working environment

The context

Pakistan hosts over 1.6 million registered Afghans, the largest and most protracted refugee population in the world. Since March 2002, UNHCR has facilitated the return of almost 3.8 million registered Afghans from the country. As of October 2012, UNHCR had assisted over 62,000 refugees to return to Afghanistan in 2012.

With the possible expiry of Proof of Registration cards on 31 December 2012, UNHCR continues to encourage the Government to formalize a strategy for 2013 and beyond that offers a solution for Afghan refugees in the country.

As of October 2012 there were approximately 724,200 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Pakistan affected by the ongoing security operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

There are three camps for IDPs supported by UNHCR. The overall security situation in Pakistan remains fragile, and State operations to restore law and order in 2013 are expected to result in new displacements.

Despite the Government's commitment to the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees endorsed by all concerned stakeholders in Geneva in May 2012, there is as yet no national legal framework for asylum in Pakistan. UNHCR will continue to advocate for Pakistan's accession to the Refugee Convention and the drafting of a refugee law.

The needs

In 2013, UNHCR's priority will be to continue to search for durable solutions for refugees, including voluntary repatriation, while working to secure asylum space in Pakistan and increase resettlement numbers. The target for voluntary repatriation in 2013 has yet to be agreed by the Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan, but may remain at 150,000, the target for 2012.

The Office will also continue to address the protection and basic needs of IDPs both during their displacement and when they subsequently return to their homes. The plans for conflict-induced IDP activities in 2013 have been designed for up to 700,000 people.

UNHCR will also advocate with the Government for a survey on statelessness. If additional resources are available, assistance will be provided to victims of Pakistan's recurring natural disasters.

Main objectives and targets for 2013

Favourable protection environment

Access to legal assistance and legal remedies is improved.

• At least 80 per cent of persons of concern to UNHCR have access to legal assistance.

Fair protection processes and documentation

The level of individual documentation is increased.

• All people of concern to UNHCR have a valid identity document.

Basic needs and essential services

Refugees have optimal access to education.

• At least 80 per cent of refugee children aged 6-13 are enrolled in primary education.

Shelter and infrastructure are established, improved and maintained.

• All households of concern to UNHCR live in adequate dwellings.

Community empowerment and self-reliance

Peaceful coexistence with local communities is promoted.

• At least 60 per cent of local communities support the continued presence of persons of concern to UNHCR.

Durable solutions

The potential for voluntary return is realized.

• All people of concern to UNHCR who wish to return in 2013 are able to do so in safety and dignity.

Strategy and activities in 2013

Priority activities in 2013 will focus on promoting peaceful coexistence, delivering protection assistance through identity documentation and access to legal remedies, providing basic needs, supporting host communities, and enabling returns in safety and dignity.

In accordance with the commitments expressed at the highest levels of the Government to maintain the voluntary nature of repatriation and to uphold the principle of non-refoulement, UNHCR will work to enhance asylum space while pursuing durable solutions. It will also provide assistance in 80 refugee villages in the health, education and water/sanitation sectors.

In 2013, UNHCR will continue to advocate for refugees to be allowed access to national services on an equal footing with Pakistani citizens. The Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) project is an integral component of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees. The project's aims are to maintain asylum space, foster opportunities for durable solutions and promote social cohesion and peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities. RAHA interventions will be scaled up throughout the country, particularly in the provinces of KP and Balochistan.

Constraints

The overall security situation in Pakistan remains fragile. Instability in some of the locations in which UNHCR operates limits the effectiveness of its "protection by presence" strategy. In order to improve outreach, UNHCR maintains close working relationships with its local partners so that both the security of UNHCR staff and the provision of protection and assistance to people of concern can be ensured.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

UNHCR has established strategic links at both the federal and provincial levels with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to help it fulfil its mandate and cluster responsibilities. UNHCR's key counterpart is the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions, including the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees.

Under the cluster approach to emergencies, UNHCR is the lead agency for protection coordination in response to both conflict-related displacement and natural disasters. UNHCR also leads the shelter and camp coordination and camp management clusters in conflict displacement.

Partnership agreements have been established with key UN agencies to facilitate the integration of refugees into their respective programmes. The RAHA project will be part of the Disaster Risk Management Joint Programme under the UN Delivering as One initiative in 2013.

Financial information

The financial requirements for Pakistan increased dramatically in 2010 and 2011 due to the devastating floods that affected vast stretches of the country. UNHCR's 2013 budget for Pakistan amounts to USD 161.3 million, an increase from USD 143.9 million in 2012, mostly as a result of additional requirements for relief-to-development activities under the RAHA project.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2013 Update

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