18. Afghanistan Region
19. Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal
20. Refugees from Rakhine State, Myanmar in Bangladesh
21. Southern Iraq
As of end-1993, over half the estimated 5.2 million refugees in Asia were Afghans in Pakistan (1.4 million) and in Iran (1.3 million). There are reported to be 650,000 Iraqis in Iran. Other large groups are refugees from Myanmar in Bangladesh (100,000), Vietnamese in China (290,000), Sri Lankans in India (115,000), as well as considerable numbers from the conflicts in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, in other countries (data from UNHCR, Statistical Overview, 1994).
No comprehensive data are available on the numbers of internally displaced populations in Asia. The numbers are certainly in the millions. Figures of 600,000 Afghans internally displaced are quoted, and over one million each in Iran and Pakistan.
In this section of the report, the current situation for the Afghan refugees/displaced populations, the largest single group in Asia with approximately three million affected people, is described. Available information on the relatively small populations of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal and refugees from Myanmar in Bangladesh are included because of previous reports of micronutrient deficiencies. As in the past, we also include information on Southern Iraqi refugees in Iran.
The situation for the approximately 3.1 million people affected by the continuing war in Afghanistan remains largely unchanged, although there are signs of improvement in access to food in Kabul.
Displaced in Kabul The recent confrontation between government and Taleban forces in Kabul led to the displacement of up to 100,000 people within the city. Prior to this, Kabul hosted approximately 400,000 displaced people. Government forces pushed Taleban forces out of Kabul and thus, for the first lime in several years, effectively taking control of the entire city. The front line is now currently about 30 km outside of Kabul and so not within military striking distance of the city. Consequently, Kabul is said to be quiet with supply trucks arriving more frequently. Thus, while food is still very expensive, it is more readily available. There have been no nutritional surveys since November/December 1994 when levels of wasting were recorded at 40% amongst the displaced and 35% among the resident population [ICRC 01/01/95, ICRC 13/04/95].
Displaced in Jalalabad The on-going conflict in and around Kabul has, over many months, displaced large numbers of people to camps in Jalalabad. Most of the displaced population have settled in Sharashahi and Hadda camps where previously high levels of wasting were reported as declining in the last RNIS report. However, an anecdotal report from another camp in the area (an ICRC administered camp) indicated that levels of wasting may be as high as 28% with 3% severe wasting (see Annex 1 (18a)). Full general rations are still distributed in this camp so that these high levels of wasting are attributed mainly to endemic diarrhoea which is apparently related to difficulties in providing adequate supplies of potable water [ICRC 13/04/95].
Refugees in Pakistan There are no reports of any change in the satisfactory nutritional situation of approximately 1.4 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Plans are currently being developed for the repatriation of approximately 200,000 of these refugees although no timetable has been announced [UNHCR 28/02/95].
Refugees in Iran There are no reports of any change in the satisfactory nutritional situation of approximately 1.3 million Afghan refugees in Iran. Although no timetable has been announced, plans are currently being developed for the repatriation of approximately 500,000 refugees [UNHCR 28/02/95].
Overall, with increased access to food in Kabul, this population is not currently thought to be at heightened nutritional risk (category IIc in Table 1).
The number of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal has continued to increase and has now reached 87,000. The main reason for leaving Bhutan was stated to be a new census conducted by the government of Bhutan since December 1994 [UNHCR 05/04/95].
The health and nutrition situation of this refugee population appears satisfactory. There are currently no children enrolled in the therapeutic feeding programme and the general health situation is reported to be improving with incidence of diarrhoea and ARI decreasing [UNHCR 05/04/95].
Repatriation to Myanmar is continuing with almost 15,000 refugees voluntarily returning in February bringing the total number repatriated since September 1992 to 167,000 people. Returnees are given a 60 day food ration at the repatriation centre before departure to the village of origin. At the end of February 1995 almost 84,000 refugees remained in Bangladesh [UNHCR 16/03/95].
During February full general rations were distributed to remaining refugees with the addition of fish and blended foods. The numbers of children in selective feeding programmes in the camps decreased slightly during February and crude mortality rates measured in February were 0.3/10,000/day and the under-five mortality rate was 0.54/10,000/day. Both these rates are considered well within normal limits. Reviewed data for the whole of 1994 indicated that wasting rates amongst the refugee population were 7.2% [UNHCR 13/02/95].
There is still a reported shortage of funding for non-food items for food-for-work projects which are planned for the current dry season as part of the repatriation and reintegration programme. It is during this period (November 1995-May 1996) that the bulk of returnee reintegration is envisaged [WFP 16/02/95].
Most recent estimates are that there are approximately 222,000 Marsh Arabs whose very existence continues to be threatened by the destruction of habitat and livelihood. So far approximately 28,000 Marsh Arabs have crossed the border and are living as refugees in camps in Iran.
The dire situation for the Marshland Arabs in Iraq has been underscored once again by the February 1995 report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission of Human Rights. This report re-iterates and makes more current the following already well-documented facts.
Refugees continue to flee the Southern Marsh area despite increased impediments to departure. Many of these refugees, who have been interviewed at Himmet and Ulm-Na’aj along the southern Iraq-Iran border, report arbitrary detention, extrajudicial execution, deteriorating living standards, religious persecution and continuous draining of the marshes resulting in loss of habitat and livelihood. In some instances civilian settlements have been shelled and razed to the ground.
The drainage programme has gradually reduced the opportunities for fishing, buffalo herding and crop cultivation. It has also made it increasingly difficult to locate drinkable water.
The situation along the strip of road on the Iraq-Iran border known as Himmet is particularly difficult for the approximately 4,000 people waiting for entry into Iran. Malnutrition, diarrhoea and infections are widespread amongst this group and pregnant women have no access to obstetric care [Statement to the commission on human Rights 27/02/95].
Although lack of access has determined that there are virtually no quantitative data on the nutritional or health status of the Marshland Arabs, information from the northern governorate and other areas of Iraq may allow some extrapolation to the situation in the Marshlands. In October 1994 the government reduced food rations by 33% so that the number of calories supplied by the food rationing system, which very few Marshland Arabs have ever had access to, provided for less than 50% of requirements. For many the short-fall could not be adequately made up through market purchase as inflation had placed even the most basic food items beyond their reach.
Data are available for other parts of Iraq indicate that since August 1993 food prices in northern Iraq have increased by 84% while in central and southern governorate inflation may have reached 600%. The effect of this reduced access to food has been a marked increase in the number of cases of protein energy malnutrition seen at health centres, a prevalence of 48% severe anaemia amongst pregnant women, large increases in the number of cases of moderate and severe goitre and a prevalence of 1.6% night-blindness in children under five years of age during 1994 [DHA 10/03/95]. It can only be assumed that there has been an equivalent if not greater deterioration in the nutritional status amongst the Marshland Arab population.
It has recently been reported that 2,000 Marsh Arab refugees in Iran would be moved from camps close to the border to areas in the western and central provinces so as to ensure their greater safety and to allow more regular access by UNHCR [UNHCR 28/02/95].
How can external agencies help? Notwithstanding the many political initiatives which are being taken by the international community, the support of those few indigenous humanitarian agencies with limited access the Marshland Arabs should be strengthened. In particular efforts should be made to strengthen basic need provision for those people stranded at Himmet where some access is possible.
