Boosting international force vital for Afghan repatriation – UN refugee chief

Hailing the return of more than 3 million Afghans to their homeland over the past two years, the United Nations refugee chief warned today that a rapid expansion of the international security force and the country's own police is vital for the repatriation of some 3 million more who fled decades of conflict.

"Refugees always ask us if there is a trained police force or international military presence in their home areas," UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Ruud Lubbers told an international conference on Afghanistan's reconstruction in Berlin. "Understandably, this is a major concern for them. It is also necessary for the United Nations and its humanitarian partners."

The millions of refugee returns so far are a sign of confidence by Afghans in their government and the stability that has been re-established in many areas of the country since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001, but a rapid expansion of the NATO-led International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) and the national police is vital in assuring refugees of a minimum level of security for returns, Mr. Lubbers stressed.

Some 65,000 Afghans have returned this year, mainly from Iran. The pace of returns from Pakistan has increased rapidly since repatriation from that country resumed in early March. More than 30,000 refugees have already registered to go back, well ahead of the number that left Pakistan in the same period last year.

Mr. Lubbers said an improvement in stability and security in parts of the north-east, centre and west of the country meant his agency could start moving toward active encouragement of returns to some selected areas. Currently, UNHCR only facilitates the repatriation of people already intending to go back on their own.

He warned that to maintain returns and avoid renewed ethnic tension, Afghanistan needs long-term development aid and sufficient funding from donors. "Sustainability is the key here," he said. "Afghanistan must be able to absorb returning refugees, and communities welcoming them back must be better equipped to handle ongoing returns; that means meeting the demand for jobs, education, health care and shelter."

Afghans going back with UNHCR support receive funds for food and other supplies and are integrated into local assistance programmes.

The agency, which is seeking $122.5 million for Afghanistan and repatriation programmes in surrounding countries this year, has also set a goal of helping all 180,000 internally displaced Afghans return to their homes by the end of 2005.