According to The Christian Science Monitor, about one-third of Kabul's 1.1 million people have fled to the southern city of Jalalabad and have been accommodated in vast camps for displaced people set up by various relief organizations (6 July 1994). A 9 June 1994 UPI report stated that Jalalabad was "one of the few places in Afghanistan where there is no fighting," but on 14 June 1994, heavy artillery exchanges took place in the vicinity of the Hissar Shahi refugee camp outside Jalalabad, on the road leading to the Pakistan border (Reuters 14 June 1994; UPI 14 June 1994). In early February 1994 warring factions in Afghanistan agreed to turn Jalalabad into a secure area (Middle East Intelligence Report 2 Feb. 1994). For further information on the current situation in Jalalabad, please refer to the attached documents.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

The Christian Science Monitor [Boston]. 6 July 1994. Greg Gransden. "War Grinds on in Kabul, Crumbling Buildings and Lives." (NEXIS)

Middle East Intelligence Report [London]. 2 February 1994. "Four-Day Conditional Cease-Fire Noted." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 14 June 1994. BC Cycle. "Clashes Erupt in South and East Afghanistan." (NEXIS)

The United Press International (UPI). 14 June 1994. BC Cycle. "Fighting in East Afghanistan Kills Four." (NEXIS)

_____. 9 June 1994. BC Cycle. Gregory Gransden. "On a Sunny Day Recently, the Town Was Like a Vast Open-Air Garage Sale." (NEXIS)

The Associated Press (AP). 27 June 1994. "U.N. Chief Decides to Reestablish Presence in Afghanistan." (NEXIS)

_____. 4 March 1994. "U.N. Says Refugee Situation Worsening with Afghanistan-Food Blockade." (NEXIS)

_____. 20 February 1994. Kathy Gannon. "Afghan Gunmen Hijack School Bus, Demand Food." (NEXIS)

_____. 3 February 1994. "Red Cross Says It Faces 'Extreme Emergency' as Last Lifeline." (NEXIS)

The Christian Science Monitor [Boston]. 6 July 1994. Greg Gransden. "War Grinds on in Kabul, Crumbling Buildings and Lives." (NEXIS)

Middle East Intelligence Report [London]. 2 February 1994. "Four-Day Conditional Cease-Fire Noted." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 14 June 1994. BC Cycle. "Clashes Erupt in South and East Afghanistan." (NEXIS)

The United Press International (UPI). 14 June 1994. BC Cycle. "Fighting in East Afghanistan Kills Four." (NEXIS)

_____. 9 June 1994. BC Cycle. Gregory Gransden. "On a Sunny Day Recently, the Town Was Like a Vast Open-Air Garage Sale." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 28 March 1994. "Special U.N. Mission to Leave for Kabul This Week." (NEXIS)