January 12, 2007

Overview

More than 170 killed in violence in Afghanistan this week

Nearly 170 civilians, security forces and suspected militants were killed in violence in Afghanistan this week. On Sunday (January 7), four family members were killed and two others wounded when a roadside bomb struck a vehicle in the southeastern province of Khost. A high school principal was gunned down by two unidentified assailants as he was leaving a mosque near the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah in southern Helmand province. Taliban militants have issued death threats to teachers. Separately, British security forces completed a four-day military operation in Helmand, destroying a Taliban training camp and killing dozens of militants. The operation is expected to pave the way for the repair of the hydro-power Kajaki Dam, which was stalled due to insurgent activity. On Tuesday (January 9), NATO troops shot and killed an Afghan civilian in southeastern Paktika. The victim, who worked at a NATO military base in Urgun (also spelled Orgun) district, was fatally shot after he reportedly failed to slow down while approaching a NATO military convoy. On Thursday (January 11), NATO claimed to have killed as many as 150 Taliban fighters in a clash in the country's restive southeastern Paktika province, along the Pakistan border. The latest battle reportedly took place in cooperation with Pakistani security forces. The combat began late Wednesday (January 10) night and lasted until early Thursday (January 11). Afghan Defense Ministry sources place the death toll of militants at between 50-80. However, General Murad Ali, an Afghan commander, said only 10 bodies had been recovered from the scene. The BBC reports that at least four bodies of local Wazir tribesmen were brought to Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal agency. Dr. Muhammad Hanif, a spokesman for the Taliban, denied NATO’s claims, saying that those killed were civilians. However, the area is not known for any significant civilian activity. NATO denied any civilian casualties. The clash marks the first major fighting between NATO forces and Taliban militants in 2007. Also on Thursday, at least 13 civilians and 16 Taliban fighters were reportedly killed and several others wounded in a separate NATO airstrike against Taliban militants in Afghanistan's restive southern Helmand province. However, NATO officials also denied there were any civilian casualties. Civilian deaths have been a major issue in Afghanistan. Last week, NATO acknowledged the mounting number of civilian casualties during its operations in 2006 and vowed to introduce new measures to prevent civilian casualties in 2007.

Pakistan rejects UN, US remarks on militant presence in the country

Pakistan on Friday (January 12) rejected accusations by the US National Intelligence Director, John Negroponte, that Pakistan is harboring al Qaeda and Taliban leaders. Negroponte told a Senate committee that the al Qaeda terror network was strengthening ties across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. “They are cultivating stronger operational connections and relationships that radiate outward from their leaders’ secure hideout in Pakistan,” he said, in what observers say is the first time officials have been specific about militants in Pakistan, which is one of the US’ major allies on the war on terror. However, Pakistan swiftly rejected the claim. “In breaking the back of al Qaeda, Pakistan has done more than any other country in the world,” said a statement by the Pakistan Foreign Ministry today. Earlier this week, Pakistan rejected remarks made by Chris Alexander, the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), that leaders of Afghanistan's ousted Taliban regime could be hiding in Pakistan and that Pakistan was not doing enough to curb militant activities on its side of the border. Tasneem Aslam, spokeswoman for Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, said on Wednesday (January 10) that those who criticize Pakistan should offer viable alternatives on controlling such activity, and that actions against militants, terrorists and undesirable elements were not Pakistan's sole responsibility. On Monday (January 8), Alexander said Pakistan had arrested only a handful of the 142 Taliban leaders on the list of the UN Sanctions Committee, claiming that most of them "continue to organize, plan and carry out terrorist activities in this country [Afghanistan] and in this region."

Canada offers Pakistan assistance in devising border security system along Afghan border, as controversial fencing begins

Canada is offering Pakistan assistance in devising a border security system along the Afghan border that would avoid laying landmines, as Pakistani security forces began work on a controversial fencing and mining plan aimed at stemming cross-border infiltrations. Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay, who is visiting Pakistan said Tuesday (January 9), that his country was unwilling to compromise its support for the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. Speaking at a joint press conference with Pakistani counterpart, Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri, MacKay said a better solution lies in augmenting fencing with border patrols, aerial surveillance and the increased use of technology. MacKay, who also held talks with Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, emphasized the need to find solutions together rather than casting blame. Pakistan's Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao, who inaugurated the first biometric system at the Chaman border on Tuesday, said the fencing and installation of a biometric system at three remaining points in Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province will be completed by this July. However, the Afghan government, which continues to blame Pakistan for not doing enough to stop cross-border militant infiltration, is opposed to both fencing and mining of the border. It argues that it would penalize and divide tribal communities that straddle both sides of the border. More than 1,000 people protested in Afghanistan's southeastern Paktika province on Sunday (January 7) and another 500 in eastern Kunar province against the plan. The work is reportedly underway at Azam Warsak, Qamardin Karez and border areas in Tarwa and Gomal districts.

Movement

4.2 million refugees have returned to Afghanistan, and 500,000 IDPs returned home since early 2002. Close to 3 million of the refugees returned from Pakistan. 2.6 million Afghans remain in Pakistan, including one million in 74 long-term camps. About 1.5 million Afghans returned from Iran; Taking into account unassisted returns, perhaps 600,000 to 700,000 Afghans remain in Iran—up to 30,000 are in seven camps.

2006 UNHCR expects to assist 550,000 returnees—400,000 from Pakistan and 150,000 from Iran. However, so far this year only some 60,000 Afghan refugees have repatriated from Pakistan. Unassisted returns are a factor from Pakistan and have been a major contributor to returns from Iran. The tripartite arrangement among UNHCR-Afghanistan-Pakistan is good through 2006; The UNHCR-Afghanistan-Iran Joint Program has been extended into 2007. Repatriation from Pakistan, halted for the winter, recommenced on March 1. UNHCR assisted nearly 9,000 refugees in returning from Pakistan and over 500 from Iran during March. In April 2006, Pakistan will close two long-term camps in NWFP, and two in Baluchistan Province with 250,000 long-term residents. Refugees in Baluchistan can either return to Afghanistan or relocate to Mohammad Kheil camp near Quetta. Refugees in NWFP are moving to Afghanistan or one of ten camps in NWFP—refugees are pushing for a one-year delay.

2005 plans called for 400,000 Afghan refugees to return home from Pakistan and 200,000 from Iran, down from an earlier 350,000 estimated from Iran. 453,000 returned from Pakistan. 67,000 from Iran were assisted and over 210,000 returned on their own to Iran for a total of nearly 280,000, and a combined Pakistan and Iran total of 733,000—close to the original projection.

2004 plans were for one million to return. Actual returnees were around 850,000, with 385,000 from Pakistan and 460,000 from Iran, including 80,000 spontaneous returns. Pakistan closed camps in South Waziristan and all new camps, with remaining new refugees going to Mohamed Kheil camp in Baluchistan Province.

Emphasis in 2003 was on repatriation from old camps and cities in Pakistan to rural areas in Afghanistan. 70% of returnees from Pakistan were from cities and 30% from camps. Over a third returned to Kabul, another 10% went to other central provinces, and just over 20% returned to each of the north and east. The Southern region received 6% and the Western region 4%. The 2003 peak months were June and July.

In 2002 over 2.3 million Afghan refugees returned with 2 million assisted by UNHCR. UNHCR repatriated 1.53 million Afghan refugees from Pakistan, including 125,000 from Baluchistan and 1.4 million from the North West Frontier Province. 82% were from urban areas; only 3% were from new camps. 265,000 refugees were assisted in returning from Iran; and 10,000 refugees from the central Asian republics.

In 2006, UNHCR/IOM will assist with IDP returns and initial integration and then terminate the program. The recognized IDP population is about 150,000 with 120,000 in the south, including 45,000 in the Zhare Dasht camp near Kandahar, 15,000 in the west, mostly in Herat’s Maslakh camp, and 12,000 elsewhere.

Afghanistan Relief Efforts: United Nations Coordination Regions

Central Region

Location	Central Region
Coordination
Population
IDP Movement
Food
Health	FAO confirms H5N1 subtype of bird flu virus in Logar ICRC, IMC, MSF;
NFIs -Shelter	IOM, UNICEF, UNOCHA, & OXFAM
Water & Sanitation	UNICEF
Security	New Zealand PRT in Bamiyan;
Comments

East Central Region

Location	East Central Region
Coordination	UNHCR
Population
IDP Movement	UN; Government encouraging refugees to return to home provinces to limit burden on Kabul—government land distribution program only in province of origin;
Food	Florida state guards deliver 2,000 blankets, 1,000 soccer balls and basic school supplies for hundreds of orphaned children in Kabul. (USG, Nov. 30). IRC, Action Contra la Faim; WFP;
Health	Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Liu Jian on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the US$15.69 million China-funded new main Jamhuriat Hospital building in Afghan capital Kabul. (Xinhua, Nov. 2) UNICEF, CARITAS, MSF, IFRC, IRC, ICRC;
Non-Food Items - Shelter	UNHCR, ACTED, MSF, IRC, ICRC, IOM;
Security
Water & Sanitation	ICRC;
Comments	Turkish-led PRT to begin operations in Wardak (also spelled Vardak) province today (Nov. 9). The PRT will focus on providing health care, education, police training and agricultural alternatives to local farmers. (AFPS, Nov.5)

Eastern Region

Location	Eastern Region
Coordination	UNHCR, International Islamic Relief Organization;
Population	More than 13,000 people displaced due to flooding in the region. (IRIN, August 10) 17,000 active IDPs in East
IDP Movement	UNHCR
Food	IRC;
Health
Non-Food Items - Shelter	CWS, UNICEF
Security
Water & Sanitation	CARITAS; ICRC, UNICEF
Comments

Northeastern Region

Location	Northeastern Region
Coordination
Population	9,000 active IDPs in North and Northeast
Movement IDPs
Food	USAID is providing 27,010 metric tons of food worth some US$16 million to help feed some 2.5 million people. The new pledge is in response to a joint UN-Afghan appeal issued last month. (IRIN, August 4) WFP sends 22 tons of food assistance to 1,930 beneficiaries in flood-affected Garziwan district in northern Faryab province, eight tons of food to Doshi district in Baghlan province and 1.4 tons of food relief to flood victims in Kohistanat district in Saripul. (IRIN, May 9) OXFAM, UNICEF, World Concern;
Health	WHO, Merlin, UNICEF, MSF; ICRC
Non-Food Items (NFIs) -Shelter	UNICEF, ACTED, Refugees Int’l, Mercy Corps
Security	NATO/German PRT in Faizabad;
Water & Sanitation
Comments

Northern Region

Location	Northern Region
Coordination	UNHCR, IOM
Population	9,000 active IDPs in North and Northeast; 60,000 IDPs from North elsewhere in country;
Movement IDPs	IOM
Food	According to the Institute of War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) many people in northwestern Badghis province are migrating to other areas, due to the region’s worst drought in five years. (IWPR, July 13). FEWS projects sufficient water for good winter wheat crop in north; ACTED, ACF, FOCUS, OXFAM, IOM, Save the Children; Officials deliver flood aid to some 500 affected families in Khuran Wa sarbagh district in Samangan province (April 26, IRIN).
Health	MSF, ICRC, UNICEF;
NFIs –Shelter	IOM, ACTED, Mercy Corps
Security
Water & Sanitation	UNICEF, ICRC, DACAAR
Comments

Southern Region

Location	Southern Region
Coordination	UNHCR
Population	Some 2,000-3,000 people displaced in Panjwai district due to continuing violence. (IOM, May 26) 125,000 active IDPs in South; most in Zhare Dasht and Panjwai camps
Movement of IDPs
Food	UNICEF; Mercy Corps; CARITAS; WFP;
Health	The Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) conducted a village medical outreach patrol on Sunday (Nov. 19) at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Martello in the Sha Wali Kot District of Kandahar Province. (NATO, Nov. 22)
NFIs - Shelter	UNHCR, Mercy Corps;
Security	On Sunday (January 7), four family members were killed and two others wounded when a roadside bomb struck a vehicle in the southeastern province of Khost. In another incident, a high school principal was gunned down by two unidentified assailants as he was leaving a mosque near the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah in southern Helmand province. Separately, British security forces completed a four-day military operation in Helmand, destroying a Taliban training camp and killing dozens of militants. (CNN, BBC, Jan. 8) On Tuesday (January 9), NATO troops shot and killed an Afghan civilian in southeastern Paktika. (BBC, PTI, Jan. 9) On Thursday (January 11), NATO claimed to have killed as many as 150 Taliban fighters in a clash in the country's restive southeastern Paktika province, along the Pakistan border. Afghan Defense Ministry sources place the death toll of militants at between 50-80. At least 13 civilians and 16 Taliban fighters were reportedly killed and several others wounded in a separate NATO airstrike against Taliban militants in Afghanistan's restive southern Helmand province. NATO denies any civilian casualties. (BBC, CNN, Jan. 11-12)
Water & Sanitation	UNICEF
Comments	ISAF engineers complete three school projects worth US$185,000 in Orgun district in Paktika province (NATO, Jan. 1)

Southern Region IDP camps

Location	Zhare Dasht - South of Kandahar – 6 camps
Type	IDP Camp
Coordination	UNHCR
Camp Capacity	30,000; expandable to 60,000
Population	125,000 IDPs in south; 48,500 at Zhare Dasht
Movement IDP	An estimated
Food	WFP
Health	UNICEF, MSF;
NFIs - Shelter
Security
Water & Sanitation	UNICEF
Comments	Support for Spin Boldak camps terminated in 2004.

Western Region

Location	Western Region
Coordination	UNHCR; ICMC
Population	12,000 IDPs, mostly in Maslakh camp
Movement IDPs	IOM
Food	WFP has sent 127 tons of food assistance for some 3,515 flood-affected families in Badghis province. (OCHA, Nov. 23) IRC, CARITAS, UNICEF, World Vision, IOM, Action Contre la Faim; WFP;
Health
Non-Food Items (NFIs) – Shelter	UNHCR sent 50 tents, 1,000 blankets, 500 plastic sheets, 20 jerry cans and 500 lanterns for flood victims in Badghis. (OCHA, Nov. 23) UNHCR, Iranian Red Crescent, UNICEF, IOM, Ockenden Int’l, MSF, IMC;
Security
Water & Sanitation	UNICEF
Comments

Refugee Camps in Pakistan

Location	Long-term camps in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Baluchistan Province, and by capital, Islamabad; Mohamed Kheil 1 & 2 camps (85 km southwest of Quetta)
Type	Refugee Camps
Coordination	UNHCR.
Camp Capacity	About one million mostly long term Afghans in 74 camps—down from about 200 camps.
Population	Estimated 2.6 million Afghan refugees remain in Pakistan; 63 camps in NWFP, 10 in Baluchistan; and one million elsewhere; Many occupants are long-term residents or were born in Pakistan;
Refugee Movement	UNHCR-assisted returns resumed on March 1. All FATA camps have been closed. 445,000 Afghans returned home from Pakistan in 2005—two thirds were long-term refugees; Pakistan to close Giordi Jungle and Pir Alizai camps in Baloshistan, and Kacha Gari camp in NWFP by the end of July, 2006. (UNNC, June 2). The 250,000 residents will either return to Afghanistan or be relocated to Mohammad Kheil camp, near Quetta in Baluchistan, or ten camps in NWFP.
Food	WFP, CRS, ARC
Health	UNICEF, MSF
Non-Food Items (NFIs) - Shelter	CRS
Security	Pakistani security force of 70,000 to 80,000 reports having border areas secured; Significant clashes between Pakistani government forces and others in border province areas; “Finger-pointing” between Afghan and Pakistan leaders over curbing Taliban and Al-Qaeda along shared border areas
Water & Sanitation	IFRC, MDM
Comments