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.
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 8 of 112 pages.
-
Afghan-Tajik returns boost repatriation numbers to 300,000
19 Apr 2002 ... ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, April 19 (UNHCR) - The return of Afghan refugees to Afghanistan today hit the 300,000 mark as UNHCR completed repatriating nearly 9,000 Afghans from the Pyandj River area on the ...... -
UNHCR to begin helping Afghans return in late March
5 Feb 2002 ... KABUL, Feb. 5 (UNHCR) - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees plans to provide returnee ... 400,000 internally displaced persons inside Afghanistan return to their home regions. ...... -
Afghan returns from Pakistan to cross 300,000 this week, says UNHCR
16 Sep 2003 ... ROGHANI CAMP, Pakistan, Sept 16 (UNHCR) - The first group of Afghan refugees repatriated from Pakistan's Roghani border camp today, drawing this year's voluntary returns from Pakistan to Afghanistan ...... -
Return of UN aid workers to Afghanistan
16 Mar 1999 ... UNHCR is planning the return of expatriate staff to Afghanistan following the decision by the UN in New York to allow the return of UN international personnel after a withdrawal of 7 months. UNHCR's ...... -
Afghanistan: returns build again after Loya Jirga
21 Jun 2002 ... After a slowdown in the past few weeks, the rate of returns of Afghan refugees into Afghanistan has resumed at high ... from Pakistan and 1,600 from Iran - and it is likely to remain at that level. ...... -
Makeshift Afghan border camp set to close; residents face return or relocation
20 May 2003 ... with reasonable choices - we hope most accept a package of assistance to return to Afghanistan while those with continuing security concerns can move to an existing refugee camp inside Pakistan." ...... -
Bridging the Divide in Approaches to Conflict and Disaster Displacement: Norms, Institutions and Coordination in Afghanistan, Colombia, the Niger, the Philippines and Somalia
30 Mar 2022 ... Bridging the Divide in Approaches to Conflict and Disaster Displacement: Norms, Institutions and Coordination in Afghanistan, ... different needs and return options for IDPs associated ...... -
Afghanistan Emergency: UNHCR staff to deploy
30 Nov 2001 ... Following the UN's green light for the return of UN expatriate staff to Herat, western Afghanistan, a team of UN international staff, including one from UNHCR, this morning crossed into Afghanistan ...... -
Lubbers to visit Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran
25 Feb 2003 ... attention away from Afghanistan. Lubbers urged the international community to keep helping Afghans returning to ... internally displaced people who may also return to their pre-war homes. ......