Afghanistan: Iris-testing proves successful
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Ron Redmond – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Since we introduced state-of-the-art iris recognition tests for refugees seeking assistance to return to Afghanistan a year ago, we have so far seen more than 200,000 Afghans undergo what has proven to be a highly successful means to verify the identities of returnees. The use of the biometric data - unique to each eye - allows us to detect anyone who has previously been "enrolled" in the data base and is trying to seek assistance for a second time, which is not allowed. So far, the system has detected approximately 1,000 people who have tried to claim assistance for a second time. This is in addition to more than 70,000 families that were rejected last year under other screening methods, including more than 20,000 who were trying to recirculate through the system a second time.
Since a successful test project last October in Peshawar, some 202,000 refugees seeking UNHCR assistance under the voluntary repatriation programme have been checked. In July this year we have lowered the age of those tested to six years to ensure children are not being forced to make repeated trips with various adults - an abuse of the assistance programme and a danger to the children. Only those with physical impediments or who are too young to use the equipment are exempt.
This is the first field-use of such non-intrusive technology anywhere in the world. It has performed flawlessly despite the harsh conditions in the heat and dust of Pakistan's border territories with Afghanistan. In addition to fixed locations, UNHCR is operating the equipment with mobile units to ease the return of refugees from remote areas. The actual enrolment process takes only a few seconds from when the returnee sits in front of the camera. Images of the iris, which appear on an adjoining computer screen, are transmitted to the computer server. The system converts the image into a digital code, which is then checked against the entire data base from all of our iris centres to see if there is a duplicate. If the code has not appeared before, the refugee is registered and given clearance to receive an assistance package on arrival in Afghanistan. Returnees are entitled to a travel grant that varies with the distance, several months of WFP food aid and some non-food items like shelter material. If the test reveals that the refugee has been enrolled before - and only about half of one percent are found to be "recyclers" - the person is refused assistance.
No information is recorded that can identify the individual tested - the code describing the iris has no link to the name, age, destination or anything else about the refugee. Since we began facilitating the return of Afghan refugees in early 2002, more than 2.4 million refugees have gone back, including more than 320,000 returnees from Pakistan so far this year.
Meanwhile, UNHCR this week organized the first convoy of internally displaced people returning from southern Afghanistan's Kandahar Province back to their homes in the north. Thirty-six families (189 people) left Kandahar on Monday in 11 vehicles and yesterday reached their villages of origin in Morghab and Gormash areas in Badghis province, in north-western Afghanistan. The returning families will receive agricultural kits (seeds, shovel, sickle, watering can), plastic sheets, tents, lanterns, soap, hygiene cloths, family kits from UNICEF (spoons, bucket, cups, soap, bowl and plates) and WFP wheat flour.
Many of these families fled Badghis nearly two years ago and were staying in Zhare Dasht settlement or makeshift camps in Kandahar. They are all Pashtuns who had been harassed out of their homes following the fall of the Taliban or were caught in factional fighting.
Many more families have expressed their wish to go home this year, but UNHCR could not facilitate their return while fighting was ongoing in Badghis province earlier this year. With tension between factions subsiding in that region and an easing of the tension and drought conditions, UNHCR has begun helping since summer many displaced people to return to Badghis province, mainly from camps to the west in Herat.
UNHCR hopes to continue the voluntary return movements from the south to the north, but there are still specific areas in the north that we cannot recommend due to ongoing conflict between factions or human rights abuses.
There is an estimated 220,000 internally displaced people in Afghanistan, including some 140,000 in the southern provinces.
Related news and stories
Women-run businesses in Afghanistan dealt a blow by deepening restrictions
UNHCR launches new appeal for Afghan refugees and hosts, urging partners to stay the course
I had to flee for my education, but refused to leave other Afghan girls to their fate
Former refugee, now volunteer teacher, helps other Afghan girls get an education
Families struggle for survival during Afghanistan's coldest winter in a decade
Afghan women affected by Taliban bans on work and study fear for their futures
Your search for « Return to Afghanistan » matched 3972 results. Only the first 1,000 results are displayed. Displaying page 15 of 112 pages.
-
UNHCR opens Afghan repatriation season
3 Mar 2004 ... KABUL, March 3 (UNHCR) - The UN refugee agency has resumed assisting refugees who want to return from Pakistan to Afghanistan, restarting the voluntary repatriation programme that was interrupted ...... -
UNHCR Global Report 2008 - Pakistan
1 Jun 2009 ... Operational highlights l UNHCR helped some 274,000 Afghan refugees to return to Afghanistan. l The Government of Pakistan agreed to develop a strategy for the management of registered Afghans beyond ...... -
Refugee Protection and Mixed-Migration: The 10-Point Plan in Action: Chapter 9 Return arrangements for non-refugees and alternative migration options. Reference 8 - Danish Refugee Council, "Recommendations for the Return and Reintegration of Rejected Asylum seekers; Lessons Learned from Returns to Kosovo", May 2008
1 Jun 2009 ... Lessons Learned from Returns to Kosovo Danish Refugee Council is an umbrella organisation with 31 ... rejected asylum seekers who returned to Afghanistan, and most recently a more extensive ...... -
UNHCR resumes repatriation from Pakistan to Afghanistan
9 Mar 2004 ... a remote camp near the Khyber Pass that is slated for closure this month under a plan to help all residents of the two-year-old Shalman Camp return to Afghanistan or move to another refugee camp. ...... -
Afghanistan Humanitarian Update No. 35
15 Nov 2001 ... with Pakistan provincial authorities on transfers from Jalozai Largest single-day return to Afghanistan from Iran since August More tents sent to Uzbekistan UNHCR Kabul office open Reports ...... -
UNHCR Global Appeal 2004 - Afghanistan
1 Dec 2003 ... Main objectives • Develop the capacity of the Islamic Transitional Authority of Afghanistan (ITAA) to plan, manage and assist the return, reintegration and protection of refugees and IDPs. • ...... -
UNHCR Global Report 2003 - Afghanistan
1 Jun 2004 ... Afghanistan Main objectives F aciliate the voluntary return of displaced Afghans (refugees and IDPs) to communities of their choice in conditions of safety and dignity, and ensure that returnees ...... -
UNHCR Global Report 2007 - Afghanistan
1 Jun 2008 ... UNHCR Global Report 2007 329 Afghanistan Operational highlights • More than 365,000 Afghans (including both registered and unregistered refugees) were able to return to their homeland with UNHCR ...... -
Afghanistan at the crossroads: Kabul conference pledges support for sustainable return
19 Nov 2008 ... KABUL, Afghanistan, November 19 (UNHCR) - The Afghan government and the UN refugee agency today pledged to strengthen efforts for ... "The story of Afghanistan's return process marks one of the ......