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.
There are approximately 3.1 million refugees and internally displaced people who are still affected by the 15 year long war in Afghanistan. The situation for the majority of this population appears stable with some optimism that many refugees could soon be repatriated and that others are now considered to be self-reliant and will no longer require general ration support.
Displaced in Kabul Fighting in Kabul has reportedly slopped and although exact numbers are not known, it is felt that many of the displaced have returned home. The food security situation has most likely continued to improve as market availability of food increased. There are no recent nutritional data, but it is likely that the high levels of wasting shown among the displaced population in a survey in November/December 1994 have decreased, [WFP 24-25/07/95].
Displaced in Jalalabad Past fighting in and around Kabul has led to large-scale displacement of people towards Jalalabad. Two of the largest camps for the displaced from Kabul are Sarshahi and New Hadda camp. Information from Sarshahi camp in February (estimated population 80,000 with food distributed for a case-load of 120,000) was that wasting levels were 1.8% - 4.6% with 0.1-1.9% severe wasting. At that time the ration provided 1,250 kcals per capita and the under-five mortality rate was 0.54/10,000/day, In May 1995 the situation was little changed with 2.5% wasting and 0.3% severe wasting (see Annex I (18a-b)) [MSF-H Jun 95].
Rates of wasting in New Hadda camp (estimated population of 80,000) are consistently slightly higher. In March wasting was measured at 6.7% with 1.7% severe wasting. Logistical problems at the time were preventing over 60% of the camp population from receiving more than 1600 kcals per capita in their general ration. At the end of May wasting had increased to 9.3% with 2.2% severe wasting (see Annex I (18c-d)) [MSF-H Jun 95].
Refugees in Pakistan There are approximately 1.2 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, many of whom are reportedly settled and becoming self-sufficient. It is planned to phase out general food distribution for this population by October 1995 for ail except the vulnerable groups and the approximately 80,000 newer arrivals (since 1992) who are not yet fully self-sufficient [UNHCR-a 29/06/95].
Refugees in Iran There are approximately 1.6 million registered refugees in Iran, and it is hoped tat 500,000 may repatriate over the next year. There are no reports of change to me stable nutritional situation of this refugee population [UNHCR-a 29/06/95].
Overall, the refugee populations in Iran and Pakistan are not at heightened nutritional risk (category IIc in Table 1) while in the absence of current nutritional survey data and in order to err on the side of caution the displaced population in Kabul are probably best defined as being at moderate risk in spite of improved food security (category 11b in table 1). The populations in the Jalalabad camps are probably not at heightened nutritional risk although slight increases in levels of wasting in New Hadda camp suggest a need for close monitoring (category IIc in Table 1).
How can external agencies help? The last nutritional survey on the displaced in Kabul, which found high levels of wasting, was conducted at the end of 1994, there is therefore a need for more current nutritional status information. Some attention should also be given to improving the equity of the food distribution system in New Hadda camp in Jalalabad while closer nutritional monitoring of this population is also needed given the slight increase in levels of wasting noted in the most current nutritional survey.
There have been no recent reports of any change in the satisfactory nutritional condition amongst the 87,000 Bhutanese refugees described in the previous RNIS report. There has recently been a large scale vitamin A distribution campaign for all children under 15 years of age [UNHCR-c 14/06/95].
(see Map 20)
Repatriation to Myanmar is continuing, with an average of 15,000 people being repatriated per month in early 1995. By May, the number of people repatriating monthly had decreased substantially to just over 1,000 people and there were approximately 59,000 refugees remaining in Bangladesh [IFRC Mar 95, UNHCR 21/06/95].
The food and nutrition situation are described as normal and satisfactory. The crude mortality rate in May was 0.29/10,000/day and the under-five mortality rate was -0.63/10.000/day. Both these rates are within normal limits [IFRC Mar 95, UNHCR 21/06/95].
It must be assumed that the dire plight of the 220,000 Marsh Arabs is deteriorating further as sanctions against the Iraqi government reduce national resources and capacity for basic needs provision and as the government continues with marshland drainage. The Marsh Arabs, who have depended on the marshes for their livelihood for many generations, are being forced to flee due to me drainage programme and continued government acts of aggression including shelling of civilian settlements, arbitrary detention and execution and religious persecution.
Many of the 5,000 people who were trapped on the narrow stretch of road linking the marshes and Iran have now succeeded in crossing the border and have found safe haven in the refugee camps in Iran. Approximately 2,000 remain on this strip of land but are expected to be allowed to cross over into Iran fairly soon [UNHCR 29/06/95].
A recent report on the vitamin A status of children in the southern governorate of Basrah (where what remains of the marshes are located) found a public health problem with 1.3% of boys and 1.2% of girls suffering from nightblindness [DHA 26/06/95]. It has also recently been reported by UNICEF, WHO and WFP that in the northern governates, 23% of children under five year of age are malnourished. Given the extreme hardship experienced by those remaining in the marshes, it is likely that prevalence of wasting and avitaminosis are similar or possibly higher amongst the Marshland Arabs. [DHA 28/05/95, DHA 26/06/95].
Response to a recent appeal by the Inter-Agency humanitarian Programme in Iraq has so far been disappointing. Only 7.5% of the overall programme requirements have been pledged to dale to support planned UN activities [DHA 28/05/95].
