With political tension deteriorating ising between Pakistan and Afghan, Afghan refugees are caught in the middle. It is frustrating for the refugees who have been living, working, marrying, and raising families in Pakistan. These refugees left Afghan to escape the fighting and now Pakistan is telling them they must return. Returning is not easy because refugees for the most part have nothing in Afghan – no jobs, housing or even a way to continue any education that they might have started.
I can understand Pakistan wanting them out of their country but Afghan does not have the resources to handle 2000 refugees returning EVERY day. The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR provides about $400 and medical assistance to each registered refugee but neither is enough. Afghan picks up the remaining costs but for how long is not known. The other issue surrounds the unregistered who will not receive assistance from UNMHCR. They will receive some from International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
Refugees really have little choice in whether to leave Pakistan. It is by “force” or voluntarily. Pakistan began requiring Afghans to have visa and passports to travel between the two countries. Even with the passport or visa, entry could be denied or worse detainment at the border. Those who have volunteered are more likely to have family elsewhere to assist in the transition. Those who are “forced” are ones who have experienced hardships, harassment and even forceful deportation. Pakistan is creating an atmosphere in which Afghans basically have no choice but to leave or face persecution.
Conditions are poor for the returning refugees. With some many arriving daily, UNHCR can not keep up with necessary supplies or housing. UNHCR,is also concerned about refugees returning to a country that is among the most affected by undetonated landmines – an enduring legacy of the Soviet invasion. According to the UN Mine Action Service, 1,587 communities in 257 districts across the country are affected. The UNHCR is offering returning Afghans training in how to spot and defuse a mine. Security is another concern because Afghan is experiencing an increase in attacks from the Taliban, the Islamic State of Iraq and ISIS fighters. Civil casualties are rising. With no place else to go, refugees are going to end up in the areas heavy with present fighting.
Afghan wants the refugees to return because these individuals are in opposition to the resistances but they are concerned that the younger generation is not going to be willing to wait for solutions to be in place. They are going to migrate to other European countries, effectively depriving Afghan of a future stronghold against the resistance or they are going to join the resistance hoping to force changes.