Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kabul (Agenzia Fides) - The difficulties to resettle in their homes in Afghanistan have discouraged refugees living in neighboring countries. Over the past 10 months only 60 000 people against 100 000 in the same period last year have returned. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kabul, the main reasons are the lack of opportunities for livelihood and shelter, but also the insecurity that prevails in some parts of the country. The lack of hospitals and drinking water and poor educational facilities in their places of origin, are other reasons why refugees do not want to return to their homes. Throughout the region there are about 3 million registered Afghan refugees, including 1.7 million in Pakistan and 1 million in Iran. With the help of a UNHCR program, from March 2002, 4.6 million Afghans have repatriated mainly from Pakistan and Iran. This year 43 000 from Pakistan and about 17 000 from Iran. For some it was very hard to go back home: families living with other families in abandoned and crumbling buildings of the capital, people are still frantically looking for a job to buy food for their children. The ability of Afghanistan to reintegrate a greater number of refugees is limited, so the UNHCR is working with the government to provide support to those who have returned or will return in the future. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 11/11/2011)
