17. Afghanistan Region
18. Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal
19. Refugees from Rakhine State, Myanmar in Bangladesh
20. Southern Iraq
An overview of the situation for refugees and displaced people in Asia as of the end of 1994 is as follows. There were an estimated 5.0 million refugees in Asia, of whom 1.1 million were Afghans in Pakistan and in Iran (1.6 million). There were reported to be 610,000 Iraqis in Iran. Other large groups were refugees from Myanmar in Bangladesh (120,000), Vietnamese in China (290,000), Chinese (Tibet) in India (110,000), and Bhutanese in Nepal (100,000). No comprehensive data were available on the numbers of internally displaced populations in Asia, but they were certainly in the millions(UNHCR, 1994 ‘Populations of Concern to UNHCR’).
This section of the report aims to give updated information on some of these situations. 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 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.
(see Map 17)
There has been little new information received on the situation in Afghanistan since the last RNIS report. This report described periodic outbreaks of hostility as the Talaban, who control two thirds of the country, resumed offensives against the government and civilian populations in Kabul.
The main problem identified in this report was the effect of the resettlement of refugee returnees upon local populations. An estimated 500,000 resident Afghans are affected as many refugees return to urban areas rather than resuming agricultural activities [DHA 09/10/95].
There are approximately 3.1 million people affected regionally, either as refugees or internally displaced people [UNHAA 06/08/95]. An estimated 2.7 million are refugees in neighbouring Iran and Pakistan. There are a further 500,000 returnees and resident populations affected by their return.
Nearly 200,000 displaced persons continue to live in the Jalalabad camps in Afghanistan, relying on the international community for food and basic services. Efforts are being made towards promoting self-sufficiency amongst this population through income generating projects and vocational training with a view to phase out food distribution in the spring of 1996 [DHA 09/10/95]. The most recent nutritional information on this population comes from a survey in July in New Hadda camp (population 80,000) which found 11.1% wasting with 1.5% severe wasting.
Overall, the affected population in Afghanistan can be considered to be at heightened nutritional risk due to insecurity (category IIb in Table 1), while the refugees in Iran and Pakistan are probably not currently at heightened nutritional risk (category IIc in Table 1).
(see Map 18)
It is currently estimated that there are 90,000 Bhutanese refugees in Nepal (an increase of 3,000 recently to account for births in the camps, not an influx of new refugees). Although talks between the governments of Nepal and Bhutan are ongoing, there are currently no plans for the repatriation of these refugees [UNHCR 16/11/95, WFP 30/11/95].
The nutritional situation of these refugees is reported to be improving. A recent screening of children under five years old showed 2.8% wasting with 0.1% severe wasting (see Annex 1 (18a)). Over 5,000 beneficiaries are enrolled in supplementary feeding programmes but only 9% are children. There have been some recent concerns that the supply of oil in the general ration is inadequate [SCF 15/11/95, WFP 30/11/95].
Reported cases of micronutrient deficiencies are declining. For example, the incidence of beri-beri (both mild and severe) has decreased from 0.005/10,000/day in June 1995 to 1.83/10,000/day in August 1995 to 0.85/10,000/day in October 1995. This rate is, however, still higher than the 0.005/10,000/day reported in June 1995. The incidence of scurvy continues to decrease from 0.63/10,000/day in June to 0.23/10,000/day in August to 0.12/10,000/day in October 1995. This incidence is still higher than that recorded in December 1994. Fresh vegetables and CSB are included in the general ration [SCF 15/11/95].
There had been a significant increase in cases of acute respiratory infection (ART). In August the incidence was 22/10,000/day. In-patient clinics were opened in response to this escalation in cases and by October the incidence rate had fallen to 7.7/10,000/day. Mortality rates, while still considered to be low, have begun to rise. In August, the crude mortality rates was 0.06/10,000/day and the under-five mortality rate was 0.2/10,000/day. Both of these rates show a sharp increase from those reported for July which probably reflects the increased incidence of ARI cases [SCF 15/11/95, UNHCR 16/11/95, WFP 30/11/95].
Overall, the nutritional status of this population appears to be improving, despite the presence of decreasing number of cases of micronutrient deficiencies (category IIc in Table 1).
How could external agencies help? The continued presence of low levels of micronutrient deficiencies suggests that there may be households who lack access to the fresh vegetables and/or CSB in the distributed ration or who have additional nutritional needs. It may also be due to seasonal factors or work or disease patterns This may require further investigation. Regular surveillance for these deficiencies should be maintained.
(see Map 19)
Repatriation of these refugees is continuing slowly, and there are currently approximately 50,000 refugees from Myanmar remaining in Bangladesh. It is estimated that the repatriation process will be completed in 1996. Food supplies to the remaining camps continue to be adequate and nutritional status of the population appears stable [UNHCR 16/11/95].
There has been very little information in recent months on the condition of the 220,000 Marsh Arabs in southern Iraq. Although a small proportion of this population have assumed refugee status by crossing the border into neighbouring Iran, the majority continue to endure extreme hardships in the southern marshes and are mostly inaccessible to aid agencies. Continued destruction of their traditional habitat and resulting loss of livelihood and means of subsistence are compounded by various forms of persecution including arbitrary arrest, military attack, torture, and executions [UNECOSCO 04/09/95].
Recent information on the declining food security and nutritional well-being of much of the Iraqi population would imply that the highly vulnerable Marsh Arabs are likely to be in an even worse situation. At the end of September a UN inter-Agency humanitarian programme review reported an “increasingly disastrous” situation in the country. At the same time WFP were reporting that more than 4 million people including 2.4 million children under five were at severe nutritional risk and that they were about to double their target beneficiary population from 1 million to 2.15 million from October 1995. UNICEF have also been reporting that the number of low birth-weight babies and monthly averages of mortality and morbidity among children due to diarrhoea, malnutrition and pneumonia have increased to alarming levels [DHA 31/10/95, FAO 1995].
There are no immediate prospects for an improvement in the situation nationally as disagreement continues on implementation of Security Council Resolution 986 which would guarantee revenue from the sale of Iraqi oil, to be used to import humanitarian goods under UN supervision [DHA 31/10/95].
