Afghanistan 10 years after Soviet pull-out
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
A decade after the last Soviet soldier left Afghan soil, and 20 years after the first groups of Afghan refugees fled the Soviet invasion, more than 2.6 million Afghans still remain in exile.
The Afghans have remained the single largest refugee group in the world for 19 years in succession, although their continuing plight has, in recent years, been overshadowed by newer conflicts and refugee movements elsewhere in the world.
By the end of 1979 - the year the Soviet army entered Afghanistan in support of the communist regime which had seized power the previous year - there were already 400,000 refugees in Pakistan and 200,000 in Iran. By 15 February 1989, the number had risen to a staggering 6.2 million, split almost equally between the two neighbouring countries, which showed extraordinary generosity in hosting such a vast number of refugees on their territory, despite the burden they represented to their own societies, environment and infrastructure. In both Iran and Pakistan, the refugees were allowed to work, and received considerable government support in the education and health sectors.
Since the Soviet withdrawal, almost two thirds of the refugees have returned to their devastated and poverty-stricken country, despite the outbreak of a new war between different Afghan groups competing for power. In all, more than 4 million Afghans have returned home voluntarily since 1989 - another refugee record - and a remarkable testimony to their courage.
While it was the Soviet invasion and occupation of Afghanistan that caused the majority of the refugees to flee, it is subsequent events - almost uninterrupted fighting between constantly shifting alliances of Afghan political groups and militias, continued human rights abuses, and a shattered economy and infrastructure - that is preventing the final settlement of the Soviet legacy.
The strength of the refugees' desire to rebuild their lives in their home country was amply demonstrated in 1992, after the communist government, shorn of its superpower support, finally fell from power. During the course of that year, a total of 1.6 million refugees went home. In 1993, another million followed suit, even though by then the capital city, Kabul, was being torn apart by infighting between different Afghan factions.
By the late 1990s, the numbers returning to relatively safe parts of the country - of which there are plenty - were still adding up to around 100,000 a year. However, many of the remaining refugees are understandably reluctant to return under current circumstances.
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UNHCR facilitates the return of 51,000 Afghan refugees from Pakistan
27 Aug 2015 ... going back to Afghanistan after 25 long years living as a refugee in Pakistan. However, like most refugees who choose to return to Afghanistan, Sakhi is optimistic about the future of his country. ...... -
Afghanistan repatriation: another 1,000+ return
26 May 2000 ... Voluntary repatriation for those who wish to return. Afghans who opt to return are provided with ... onwards, they are provided with subsidised transport to some of the major towns in Afghanistan. ...... -
Afghanistan: Returnees rush to repair homes before winter
29 Oct 2002 ... As nighttime temperatures drop throughout Afghanistan, more families are rushing to repair their homes using ... time, efforts are underway to help Afghanistan's displaced persons to return home. ...... -
Afghan returns surpass 250,000 for the year
7 Oct 2008 ... UNHCR has assisted more than a quarter-million Afghans to return home so far this year from Pakistan ... Many said they returned to Afghanistan because they could not afford the high cost of living in ...... -
UNHCR Mid-Year Progress Report 2002 - Afghanistan
1 Sep 2002 ... UNHCR Mid-Year Progress Report 2002 - 141 AFGHANISTAN ___... INITIAL OBJECTIVES • Facilitate the voluntary return of up to ...... -
UNHCR Global Report 1999 - Afghanistan
1 Jun 2000 ... AT A GLANCE Impact • UNHCR protected and assisted 100,780 Afghan refugees who decided to return voluntarily to Afghanistan. • Conditions inside Afghanistan, including respect for human rights ...... -
UNHCR Global Appeal 1999 - Afghanistan
1 Dec 1998 ... Islamic Republic of Iran to Afghanistan by providing transportation assistance, repatriation grants and reintegration projects in areas of return; and monitor and ensure the protection of returnees. ...... -
Afghan New Year signals new returns, new challenges
21 Mar 2005 ... refugees in Iran, have decided to return to their homeland. At the UNHCR reception centre in Islam Qala, western Afghanistan, Ali Fatahi and his family are drinking tea surrounded by their luggage. ...... -
Meeting looks at balance for Afghan return amid country's constraints
11 Jun 2007 ... (UNHCR) - Officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan and the UN refugee agency have discussed ways to maintain the voluntary and ... If large numbers of Afghans return involuntarily, we cannot absorb ......