Pakistan's threat to expel over a million Afghans could lead to new humanitarian tragedy

Source: Christian Aid

The international development agency, Christian Aid, fears Pakistan's threat to force Afghans seeking refuge to return across its border next month has the potential to make things even worse for a country mired in poverty and hunger.

It comes on top of a series of devastating earthquakes earlier this month where entire villages near Herat were flattened. Christian Aid, alongside other charities, is supporting local partners to help those left without food, water, and shelter.

Now the charity says there's a risk that Afghanistan's already fragile economy could not cope if there's a large-scale return of refugees, especially given the significant aid cuts that have been imposed by the international community, including the UK. Resources and facilities for those who might be made to return are limited with existing shortages of shelter, food, water, healthcare, education, and protection.

Many could be at risk of reprisals from the Afghan authorities, including human rights defenders and those who worked for Western countries under the previous regime. Christian Aid is concerned women will face even worse restrictions than in Pakistan, including being denied access to education, work, and many public spaces.

Christian Aid's Head of Asia Region, Ramani Leathard, said: "The forced return of already extremely vulnerable Afghans, who fled the country after the Taliban takeover, back to a country that is already grappling with hunger and drought, is a huge concern.

"The arrival of what is likely to be another harsh winter adds to a sense of growing humanitarian crisis. The situation has deteriorated significantly, with over eight million Afghans already displaced from their homes due to conflict, violence, and deep-rooted poverty.

"A significant number of them might decide they have no choice but to try migrating to EU countries and the UK.

"The UK hosting next month's Food Security Summit is an opportunity for the international community to find solutions to Afghanistan's continuing hunger issues. Afghanistan must not be forgotten."

Christian Aid is calling on the UK government to properly fund humanitarian work and use its diplomatic influence on Pakistan to ask Islamabad to think again about sparking another mass movement of people in the region. The charity says the UK must fulfil its long-standing commitment to provide safe routes for vulnerable Afghan refugees.

Background of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan

Pakistan has provided refuge to Afghan refugees for over four decades and, according to the UN, currently hosts 3.7 million Afghans. Recently, around 700,000 Afghans fled to Pakistan in the aftermath of the Taliban taking control of Afghanistan in August 2021. They joined the millions of Afghan refugees who have been living in Pakistan for a long time.

These Afghan refugees in Pakistan can be divided into three main groups:

- Some left Afghanistan because they were very poor and couldn't find jobs there.
- Others are at immediate risk, or leaving due to protection issues, having sought protection in Pakistan or awaiting onward resettlement to Western countries. Women specifically face challenges like gender-based violence, discrimination, harassment, or exploitation. Some families came to Pakistan so their girls could get an education.
- There are also Afghans with expired ID cards in Pakistan who have difficulties dealing with the police.