United Nations System
Standing Committee on Nutrition

RNIS 43, November 2003

ASIA - Selected Situations

Afghanistan Region

The security situation remains tense in many parts of the country because of factional fighting and banditry. Humanitarian agencies have increasingly been targeted (WFP, 02/04/03).

Refugees and IDPs

Number of refugees returning was low at the beginning of 2003; only 8,800 people were voluntary repatriated in January /February 2003 (USAID, 13/03/03).

UNHCR signed a new agreement with the Pakistan and Afghanistan governments for the voluntary repatriation of 600,000 refugees in 2003 (GoP, 18/03/03). Facilitated refugee repatriation in 2002 has raised concern. According to an independent research and evaluation unit (Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit), encouragement of the return of refugees in 2002 has been premature, as refugees did not find adequate conditions at their destinations. The study cites pressure from host governments to see refugees repatriated, donors' tiredness in supporting refugees in host countries, and limited release of funds for development in Afghanistan (AREU, 31/12/02). Some of the report's recommendations are: increasing the amounts pledged for reconstruction and emergency aid and speeding up the release of funds for development; expanding the International Security Assistance Force to each of the 32 provincial capitals; investing more resources in monitoring returnees to provide reliable information about areas of return; increasing direct donor support for UNHCR's protection activities in Pakistan and Iran.

Pakistani authorities have planned to close Katcha Garhi camp, which hosts 600,000 refugees in the suburbs of Peshawar. Refugees will have no other choices than going back to Afghanistan or finding an other place in Pakistan (UNHCR, 25/03/03).

About 700,000 people remain displaced throughout Afghanistan. IOM has assisted the return of 9,000 IDPs since the beginning of the year (IOM, 28/03/03). Notably some IDPs are still reported to be moving from the north to the south because of harassment and insecurity in the north (OCHA, 15/04/03).

Food security situation

WFP and partners conducted a food needs assessment of the rural settled population (WFP/VAM, 2002-2003). Food security improved in 2002 compared to 2001, especially in the north-west of the country, whilst little improvement and even in some cases a deterioration has been experienced in the south (see map). Food through own production has increased in many districts, except in the south where drought has continued.

Many districts however remains moderately to highly food insecure, especially in the south (see map). Drought and war still have very negative effects on food security. Due to the loss of seeds, tools, and traction animals, it is estimated that the 2002 cultivation of land in the northern rainfed belt was only 10-30% of the pre-drought years. Underground aquifers are also still not replenished; this has hampered irrigated culture, which also suffers from infrastructural damage. It is hoped that the improvement of pasture conditions in the north, west, and central Afghanistan, and the increase in livestock market prices will allow beginning of restocking. Labour opportunities in the agricultural sector are scarce as a consequence of the drought. Moreover, the closing of the borders with Iran and Pakistan will limit the traditional economic migration.

Whilst in the south and in some pockets throughout the country food aid is still needed for saving lives, in other parts of the country food aid will promote long-term food security by helping people rebuild their livelihoods.