Press Release
11 March 2015
Ms. Maya Ameratunga (left), UNHCR’s Representative in Afghanistan, Mr. Indrika Ratwatte, UNHCR’s Representative in Pakistan, Lt. Gen. (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch, Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) and Sayed Hossein Alimi Balkhi, Afghanistan’s Minister for Refugees and Repatriation (Right) addressing the press conference. © UNHCR/A.Shahzad
ISLAMABAD: Representatives of the governments of Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of voluntary repatriation, in safety and dignity, to end the protracted Afghan refugee situation. The parties agreed that intensified efforts are required in order to create an enabling environment for voluntary return and sustainable reintegration of returnees in Afghanistan.
This was stated at the 25th Tripartite Commission meeting held in Islamabad on Wednesday. All the parties agreed that, while the full and effective reintegration will be a gradual and challenging endeavor, linked to Afghanistan’s absorption capacity, concrete measures can be taken to support this process, including by empowering returnees at an individual level by strengthening their self-reliance and coping mechanisms upon return.
To support this objective, the parties agreed to complement the current return cash grant of an average of USD 1,200 per family of 6, provided to returnees under the auspices of UNHCR’s voluntary repatriation programme, with the inclusion of an additional multi-purpose long-term reintegration component through the introduction of an Enhanced Voluntary Return and Reintegration Package (EVRRP) for a pilot period of one year.
Lt. General Abdul Qadir Baloch, Pakistan’s Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) welcomed the endorsement of the EVRRP and stated that Pakistan is dealing with one of the most protracted human displacement situations of our time which calls for a collective response from the international community.
The parties, therefore, committed to undertake in joint fundraising initiatives, led by the Government of Afghanistan, supported by the Government of Pakistan and facilitated by UNHCR to ensure resource mobilization for the implementation of the EVRRP.
Mr. Baloch agreed that repatriation must be sustainable and based on the realistic assessment of the situation on the ground. He informed the forum that his Ministry is devising a comprehensive policy for Afghan refugees in coordination and consultation with the Government of Pakistan and UNHCR to be ready by mid this year. The new policy according to Mr. Baloch “will be humane, based on the ground realities, for achieving solutions which are sustainable through voluntary repatriation and leads to empowerment rather than exploitation.”
Afghan Minster for Refugees and Repatriation, Sayed Hossein Alimi Balkhi paid gratitude to the Government and people of Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghan refugees and economic migrants for over three decades despite the associated economic challenges and lack of resources.
Mr. Balkhi told the forum that, the new National Unity Government in Afghanistan has taken important steps to resolving the longstanding Afghan refugee issue, including bilateral discussions on the subject with the Government of Pakistan, plans to establish a National Migration Management Board and efforts to develop a comprehensive national strategy for voluntary repatriation.
Minister Balkhi said that humanitarian assistance alone cannot fully address the pressing development needs of returning refugees. “There is a need for collective and comprehensive efforts, backed by strong support by the international community for the national programmes that have the potential to address the urgent needs of returnees in Afghanistan,” added the minister.
UNHCR’s representatives in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ms. Maya Ameratunga and Mr. Indrika Ratwattte emphasized that given the positive geo-political developments 2015 was a pivotal year which present a unique opportunity for the pursuit of lasting solutions for Afghan refugees. They noted that the process of developing vibrant communities, livelihood opportunities and a conducive, sustainable return environment is linked to overall improvements in the socio-economic situation in Afghanistan. They emphasized the importance of ensuring the inclusion of returnees into the new reform agenda of Afghanistan, its social policy and development processes at local, provincial and national/sector levels; by facilitating their access to National Priority Programs, National Solidarity Program, growth and job creation plans, as well as by prioritizing community-based investments benefiting both returnees and local communities in areas of return back home.
During a day-long discussion, other topics discussed at length included, updates on the implementation of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR), presentation of the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) programme , voluntary repatriation updates from both the countries, reintegration efforts in Afghanistan and management of Afghans in Pakistan.
The next Tripartite Commission meeting will be held in Kabul in August 2015. The Tripartite Commission is a formal body that governs the return and reintegration of Afghans from Pakistan since 2002. Under this arrangement, more than 3.8 million Afghan refugees have returned with UNHCR assistance to Afghanistan during the past thirteen years. This represents the largest repatriation of refugees in UNHCR’s history.
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