16. Afghanistan Region
17. Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal
18. Refugees from Rakhine State, Myanmar in Bangladesh
19. Southern Iraq
The most recent overview of the numbers of refugees and displaced people in Asia (as of the end of 1995) is as follows. There were an estimated 4.5 million refugees in Asia, of whom over 800,000 were Afghans in Pakistan and in Iran (1.5 million). There were reported to be 600,000 Iraqis in Iran. Other large groups were refugees from Myanmar in Bangladesh (36,000), Vietnamese in China (286,000), and Bhutanese in Nepal (90,000). No comprehensive data were available on the numbers of internally displaced populations in Asia, but they were certainly in the millions (UNHCR, 1995 ‘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 16)Sporadic fighting continues between warring factions north of Kabul, while the city itself is reportedly calm. Peace initiatives and conferences brokered by Pakistan, Iran and the UN Special Envoy continue. As the fundamentalist Taliban forces progressed across Afghanistan to Kabul, women were originally forbidden to work and attend school but these restrictions are now being relaxed in some areas. For example, WFP’s women’s projects, including the subsidised bakery project for women, have resumed. WFP have lifted the suspension of WFP food shipments into areas such as the north and parts of the south, west and eastern provinces, where relief activities in favour of men and when can continue largely unaffected by the Taliban pronouncements on women. However, UNHCR recently temporarily suspended their work in Kabul after what they described as ‘weeks of harassment’ [Agence France Press 21/11/96, DHA 20/11/96].
Kabul Thousands of people are reportedly leaving Kabul; for example over 6,000 people left the city between 20-26th of October, and over 3,000 departed in mid-November. There are a smaller number of returnees, some of whom are passing through Kabul on their way north. Programmes in favour of women, such as the bakery project have now resumed in the capital [DHA 12/11/96, WFP 01/11/96].
There are no new reports on the nutritional situation of the estimated 600,000 vulnerable people in Kabul. As winter approaches, aid agencies are stockpiling relief items which will be needed over the coming months.
Jalalabad The number of internally displaced people in the Jalalabad area is estimated at 160-200,000. There are a number of new arrivals who are either in the two camps or living among the local population. There are no recent reports on the nutritional situation of these people.
Pakistan There is a slight increase in the number of Afghan refugees in Pakistan due to new arrivals from Kabul.
Iran There are no reports of change in the situation for the 1.4 million Afghani refugees in Iran.
Overall, the vulnerable population in Kabul is at moderate nutritional risk (category IIb I Table 1), and the remaining affected population is not currently though to be at heightened nutritional risk (category IIc in Table 1).
How could external agencies help? It is essential to stock enough relief items to last through the winter months. Important items include food aid, fuel for heating, and blankets. There is also a need to resupply hospitals ahead of the winter snows.
Some longer term projects, as outlined in the Consolidated Appeal for Afghanistan, focus on reconstruction and include:
· improving water and sanitation, particularly in Kabul;· increasing agricultural production through the provision of farm inputs and the continuation of the defining process;
· rehabilitating of health infrastructure.
(see Map 17)There are just over 90,500 refugees from Bhutan in Nepal. Any slight increase in population numbers are due largely to births in the camps; there are very few new arrivals. The nutritional situation is said to be stable and a recent screening of children under five years old showed 2.4% wasting with .06% severe wasting (see Annex I (17a)). However, cases of scurvy (incidence rate 0.59/1,000/month), beri-beri (3.31/1,000/month) and angular stomatitis (8.05/1,000/month) continue to be reported. Reasons for the continued presence of these micronutrient deficiencies in this population is being investigated [SCF Oct 96, UNHCR 22/11/96].
Overall, a proportion of these refugees is at high risk due to micronutrient deficiency diseases (category I in Table 1) while the remaining population is not considered to be at heightened nutritional risk (category IIc in Table 1).
(see Map 18)There remain approximately 36,000 refugees form Rakhine State, Myanmar in Bangladesh. This number continues to decease due to the ongoing repatriation programme. It is anticipated that a further 16,000 people will have returned home by the end of 1996 and that the repatriation process will be completed by mid-1997 [UNHCR 22/11/96].
Preliminary results of a nutritional survey in the camps in Bangladesh showed a significant deterioration since the previous two annual surveys. Wasting was measured at 15.4% with 0.7% severe wasting (see Annex I (18a)). These results compare unfavourably with rates of 7.2% and 9.5% in 1994 and 1995 respectively. Despite a decrease in the prevalence of angular stomatitis, cases are still being seen indicating vitamin B2 deficiency. Measles immunisation coverage was 98.4%. Coverage of selective feeding programmes remain low at 55% [UNHCR 01/09/96]. Details of actions to rectify this situation will be forthcoming.
An increase in the number of cases of both bloody and watery diarrhoea in the camps has been reported. At the same time, it was discovered that stocks of blended food kept at camp level were infested and it was felt that this could be associated with the increase in cases of watery diarrhoea. Distribution of blended foods was discontinued although in order to compensate the general ration was readjusted to contain an additional 10 gms of pulses, 10 gms of oil and 5 gms of sugar in addition to high protein biscuits [UNHCR 18/11/96]. These measures will maintain the caloric level of the general ration at previous levels although the micronutrient content of the ration will be lower.
Overall, this population could be considered to be at high nutritional risk (category I in Table 1) due to a elevated levels of wasting and the continuing diagnosis of new cases of micronutrient deficiency diseases, particularly vitamin B2. It is possible that the deterioration in the nutritional status of this population reflects the fact that the repatriation has left the most vulnerable households in the camps.
How could external agencies help? Stocks of blended foods should be replenished as soon as possible. Furthermore, measures to prevent future infestation should be taken. These might included fumigation as a preventive measure and adherence by supplying agencies to the practice of ensuring that the manufacture and expiry dates of the blended foods are clearly marked on each bag. Also, while blended foods are absent from the general ration particular attention should be given to methods of micronutrient deficiency surveillance within the camps.
There are no new reports on the situation for the Marsh Arabs in the south, who have been suffering a constantly deteriorating situation for many years. The systematic destruction of the traditional habitats, loss of livelihood, arbitrary arrests, detention and torture of this population have been regularly reported, and have most likely left this population of 200,000 with little or no propensity to cope.
There are no reports of change to the generally adequate nutritional status of the approximately 28,000 Iraqi refugees in Iran.
Overall, the Marsh Arabs inside Iraq are likely to be at high nutritional risk (category IIa in Table 1) while those who have crossed into Iran are probably not at heightened nutritional risk (category IIc in Table 1).
