United Nations System
Standing Committee on Nutrition

RNIS 43, November 2003

ASIA - Selected Situations

Afghanistan Region

Insecurity, human rights abuses and attacks against aid workers are on the rise in Afghanistan (AFP, 09/10/03; Care, 07/10/03; IRIN, 14/08/03; IRIN, 19/09/03).

The UN security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that authorizes expansion of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) outside Kabul (UNSC, 13/10/03). The expansion of ISAF had been asked for by the Afghan government, NGOs and the UN, for a long time. However, Afghan civilians and NGOs remain sceptical and wait to see how the resolution will translate into practice: will there be a substantial deployment of troops; will the troops deploy to high-insecurity areas, will they have the mandate to intervene in fighting and disarmament process (CARE, 16/10/03; IRIN, 09/10/03; RFE/RL, 22/10/03)? As of end of October 2003, no other country apart from Germany had formally announced troop commitments for the expanded ISAF (RFE/RL, 22/10/03).

A disarmament and demobilisation programme has been launched, with the aim of disarming 100,000 members of the Afghan Military Forces (UNDP, 24/10/03); 1,000 ex-soldiers have been voluntarily demobilised in Kunduz (UN NS, 30/10/03).

Land and housing tenure is one of the most crucial problems in Afghanistan today, with returnees having difficulty claiming their properties (see RNIS 41) and ongoing speculation in land and property, especially in urban centres. This leads to allocation of lands and housing to wealthy Afghans and to the hardest access to housing for poor Afghans (IRIN, 12/09/03). For example, 30 families have been violently evicted by the police from their homes in Kabul city and have seen their homes and some of their belongings destroyed (IRIN, 04/09/03). UNHCR has announced the rehabilitation of 24 public buildings in Kabul, that could house about 200,000 returnees, and the funding of the construction of 52,000 basic homes throughout Afghanistan this year (UNHCR, 24/10/03).

Refugees and IDPs

As of end October 2003, UNHCR announced that 223,000 Afghans had returned from Iran and 333,000 from Pakistan so far this year (UNHCR, 28/10/03). UNHCR estimates that about 1.1 m Afghans are still hosted in camps in Pakistan as well as an unknown but substantial number in towns; about one million Afghans might still be in Iran (UNHCR, 28/10/03).

The number of IDPs dropped in 2003, especially in the western provinces. According to UNHCR, about 40,000 people have gone home from the camps in Herat province (UNHCR, 15/08/03). The food assistance had been cut in some of these camps (see RNIS 42).

Economy and agriculture

A report from the International Monetary Fund stated that economic growth in Afghanistan reached about 30% during 2002-2003 and was anticipated at around 20% in 2003-2004. Growth was especially high in the agricultural sector and services fuelled by donor assistance (BAAG, 30/09/03).

The FAO/WFP crop assessment mission found that the cereal production in 2003, estimated at 5.37 m tonnes, is the highest on record and is 50% above last year (FAO/WFP, 13/08/03). The rain-fed production has increased by 130% whilst the irrigated production has increased by 43% compared to last year. The good production may be imputed to timely and well distributed precipitation, increased use of fertiliser and of improved seeds. However, whilst some areas have a surplus, others, especially in the south, are experiencing deficits. Bad road conditions and logistical constraints limit the transportation of cereals from surplus to deficit areas (FEWS, 30/09/03). In September, wheat prices declined slightly in surplus areas, but remained near or above last year’s level in the east and southern markets (FEWS, 30/09/03). There is a fear that low cereal market prices may result in financial difficulties for farmers and reductions in area planted next season.

Good precipitations also benefited vegetable production (FAO/WFP, 13/08/03).

The supply of livestock and livestock products has not yet recovered; animal prices have increased. In 2003, sheep and horse herds are estimated to be 60% less than in 1995; camels and goats are estimated to be respectively 18% and 37% less than in 1995; there has been no change in cattle herds, and poultry has increased by 60% (FEWS, 30/09/03).

Poppy production remains at the same level in 2003 as in 2002 and is the world’s leading production (FAO/WFP, 13/08/03). Poppy production seems to be linked with a high level of household debt.

Nutritional status

Several random-sampled surveys were carried out during the summer. The results showed average to worrying nutritional status (see table). In Kabul city, the nutrition situation has remained average since last year (see figure).

Malnutrition rate, Kabul, Afghanistan

In southern Kapisa and the northern Shamali-southern Pansheer, worrying levels of malnutrition have been recorded; in Pansheer valley, the nutrition status has deteriorated when compared to last year at the same period (see figure).

Malnutrition rate, Pansheer valley, Afghanistan

RNIS does not have, however, sufficient information to be able to give an explanation about this high prevalence of malnutrition. Mortality was under-control (see table).

Results of nutrition surveys, Afghanistan, 2003 (ACF, 08/03)

Refugees in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan

A random-sampled nutrition survey was carried out in seven “new” camps (Basu, Old Bagzaï, Ashagaro, Kokti, Bar Kalay, Shelmann and New Shamshatoo), which were established in NWFP, between 1999 and 2001 (ACF-F, 06/03); it was the first nutrition survey to be done since the camps were established. As of June 2003, the camps counted around 77,000 people; most of them sought refuge in Pakistan between 1999 and early 2002. The camps are located in remote areas and are far from any town, except for New Shamshatoo, which is only one hour from Peshawar city. All camps receive basic need services (see box). However, income generating opportunities were different in each camp, depending on the camp surroundings.

Food security, public health and social and care environment, "new" camps in NWFP, June 2003 (ACF, 06/03)

The prevalence of malnutrition was average: acute malnutrition was 7.2% (5.0-10.1), including 1.3% (0.6-3.0) severe malnutrition. Under-five mortality rate was under-control: 0.29/10,000/day. Measles vaccination coverage according to cards or mothers' statements was 90.9%. The prevalence of malnutrition varies probably according to camp.

Wealth groups have been defined in Shelmann and New Shamshatoo camps; wealth seems to depend on the workforce in the household and on work opportunities (see box). Few families seemed not to be reliant on food distribution.

Wealth groups, Shelmann and Shamshatoo camps, June 2003 (ACF, 06/03)

Overall

Whist the situation in Kabul city has remained average and stable since last year (category II/III), the nutritional status of children in southern Kapisa and northern Shamali-Pansheer valley is worrying and has deteriorated since last year in Shamali -Pansheer valley (category II). Living conditions in these areas need to be documented and adequate action to be taken, to prevent further deterioration of the situation. In the “new” camps in NWFP, in Pakistan, the nutrition situation was average.