08.04.2002 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

IRIN: MSF concerned about repatriation drive from Iran ("MSF concerned about repatriation drive from Iran") [#28867],  [ID 2539]

"Confronted everyday with trends that were a cause of serious concerns, MSF staff have cited instability and poor security in many provinces, especially on the roads of western and northern Afghanistan as well as acts of persecution against ethnic Pastuns in northern provinces.[…] Food security problems, lack of available housing in the main towns such as the western city of Herat and the capital, Kabul and the lack of effective health structures to take care of the population are all concerns. The ongoing drought in several areas remains an issue too for organisations like MSF. […] The announced figures of 800,000 returnees in 2002 from Iran and Pakistan will prove an enormous challenge for a country which is only just recovering from 20 years of non-stop war and a ruined economy. MSF warns such a massive return may simply fuel the growth of IDP camps in cities like Herat and Kabul, adding many refugees who have become urbanised in Iran and Pakistan, will only return to cities even if they originally came from rural villages. […] Moreover, MSF has called for greater sustainability through sufficient food distribution to returnee populations. "Only three months' supply of wheat flour or wheat grains will be distributed by WFP in the repatriation package, whereas most of them will have missed the planting period," Jochum said. In areas where access to food was already an acute problem, this quantity was not enough and was nutritionally not complete (lack of oil and proteins), he added. […]"

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