Some 15,000 families displaced by fighting in southern Afghanistan
Summer fighting pitting government and NATO troops against Taliban fighters has forced some 15,000 families - some 80,000-90,000 people - to flee their homes in three southern Afghanistan provinces.
KABUL, Afghanistan, October 3 (UNHCR) - Fighting pitting government and NATO troops against Taliban combatants has forced some 15,000 families to flee their homes in three southern Afghanistan provinces since July.
UNHCR spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that the refugee agency was concerned about this displacement - amounting to approximately 80,000-90,000 people - in Kandahar, Uruzgan and Helmand. She said it had added "new hardship to a population already hosting 116,400 people earlier uprooted by conflict and drought."
The Taliban have been waging a relentless and costly summer campaign in the south against government troops and forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), with British and Canadian soldiers bearing the brunt of attacks.
The Afghan government has created a Disaster Management Committee in Kandahar to coordinate relief efforts. The committee is working in coordination with the United Nations, led by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.
"UNHCR, as part of a joint UN effort, is providing the recently displaced Afghans in the province of Kandahar with non-food items. Together with UNICEF, distribution of jerry cans, plastic sheeting, floor mats, lanterns, family kits and blankets is under way," said Edmond Kamina, a UNHCR official in Kandahar. These have been issued to some 3,200 families in Panjwai and Zhare Dasht districts. World Food Programme is providing food aid.
The government is currently assessing the needs of the displaced in the three southern provinces. "We are working very closely with tribal and IDP [internally displaced people] elders in order to assist the conflict-affected people, but they need more assistance to rebuild their lives," said Rahmatullah Safi of the Afghan Department of Refugees and Repatriation.
"People have lost everything, their vineyards, orchards, schools and clinics. Some assistance has already reached them, but more needs to be done," he said, adding that some 5,000 of the displaced families had received aid.
When the fighting escalated, Haji Abdul Majeed, 48, fled to Kandahar with his family from their home in Panjwai. "I will not return my family from Kandahar city until security has been restored," he said.
Meanwhile, UNHCR has said it is ready to assist when it is clear what is required. "We expect further displacement may take place until conditions are safe for the population to return to their homes," Pagonis said. Some families were reported to have left Kandahar city and returned to Panjwai and Zhare Dasht during daylight, but returned to Kandahar at night for safety reasons. UNHCR has no information on population movements to other districts.
By Mohammad Nader Farhad in Kabul, Afghanistan
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 « "southern afghanistan" » matched 106 results. Displaying page 8 of 12 pages.
-
Afghanistan Humanitarian Update No. 48
15 Jan 2002 ... ... Pakistan has so far refused to allow UNHCR to register the new arrivals who are now caught out in the open. Serious security problems continue to plague southern Afghanistan, the only remaining region ...... -
Afghanistan: Iris-testing proves successful
10 Oct 2003 ... 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 ...... -
Focus on sustainable returns for Afghans, urges Lubbers
3 Mar 2003 ... ... to work on improving security in the north so that displaced Afghans, including around 60,000 people currently living in very difficult conditions in southern Afghanistan, will feel safe to return. ...... -
UNHCR seeks $195 million for Afghanistan
17 Dec 2002 ... ... In southern Afghanistan, the distribution of urgently needed items has started in Nimroz and Kandahar provinces, where 32,000 blankets have already been given to needy Afghans squatting in five ...... -
UNHCR Country Operations Plan 2004 - Pakistan
1 Sep 2003 ... ... Drought continues to affect Balochistan as well as southern Afghanistan. Scarce water supplies not only make it difficult and more costly for aid agencies to assist refugees, but have created tensions ...... -
The Germans welcoming refugees into their homes
24 Dec 2015 ... Mecid had fled his home in southern Afghanistan after bandits brutally murdered his younger brother and neighbours. The father of seven says he could no longer live in constant fear. "They killed my ...... -
Afghanistan Humanitarian Update No. 45
13 Dec 2001 ... ... More than 30,000 Afghans have voluntarily repatriated from Iran since Herat fell to anti-Taliban forces on Nov. 12. Refugees still flee In southern Afghanistan, small numbers of refugees are still ...... -
Regional Strategic Presentation Summary: Bureau for CASWANAME
24 Feb 2006 ... ... Strengthened regional cooperation may also contribute to the improved living and working conditions of the Afghan population in the region. The deteriorating security situation in southern Afghanistan ...... -
Thousands of Afghans returning home with help from UNHCR
5 Mar 2002 ... ... The materials are to be distributed to people in southern Afghanistan in an effort to avert further movements towards Pakistan. Although thousands of Afghans are returning home, some 45,000 people ......