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 9 of 112 pages.
-
Thousands of refugees head home as stability returns to parts of Afghanistan
14 Dec 2001 ... QUETTA, Pakistan, Dec. 14 (UNHCR) - With a degree of stability returning to parts of Afghanistan, more than ... The refugee agency has been urging the refugees not to return home immediately despite the ...... -
UNHCR's Voluntary Repatriation Program: Evaluation of the Impact of the Cash Grant. Altai Consulting, March 2009
Mar 2009 ... (VRF) and have irises scanned in the country of exile prior to return. Typically the Cash Grant is claimed by refugees once inside Afghanistan at Encashment Centers, or in the cases of longer ...... -
Solutions strategy for Afghan refugees, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan 2015/2016
13 Jun 2014 ... 11 • Programme rational and principles 11 - The SSAR Country Portfolios 12 • Return to Afghanistan: Needs, Gaps and Responses 13 - Outcome 1: Voluntary repatriation 15 - Outcome 2: ...... -
Uzbekistan
... In light of the conditions in Afghanistan, these people cannot return, and UNHCR considers that ... to enhance pre-positioning and rapid delivery of Core Relief Items to Afghanistan and other countries. ...... -
High Commissioner in Afghanistan to review progress, chair conference
14 Nov 2008 ... High Commissioner António Guterres is travelling to Afghanistan for five days next week to assess the ... He will also co-chair an international conference in Kabul to mobilise support for the return ...... -
Repatriation Under Conflict: A Review of the Encashment Programme for Afghan Refugees in Pakistan
1 Feb 1994 ... examines the effectiveness of the programme in facilitating voluntary repatriation to Afghanistan. ... OVERVIEW RETURN TO CONFLICT-AFFECTED COUNTRIES IS LIKELY TO INCREASE (1) There has been an ...... -
Refugee agency set to start assisting Afghan refugees return home
28 Feb 2002 ... formally begins assisting Afghans to return to their shattered homeland Friday with the ... near the Afghan border will be given transportation expenses once they enter Afghanistan. ...... -
Afghanistan, Iran, UNHCR reaffirm commitment to voluntary, safe and dignified return of Afghan refugees from Iran
19 Aug 2015 ... Afghanistan and Iran and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today in Kabul reaffirmed their commitment to the ... to support the voluntary return and sustainable reintegration ...... -
Displaced Afghan families return to destruction and hunger in Helmand
10 Jan 2022 ... The end of the fighting in Afghanistan this summer came as a relief to farmer Sayed Mohammad*. It meant that he and his family could return to their house in Marja – a war-ravaged farming town in ......