Millions of afghan refugees and internally displaced people struggle to reintegrate in Afghanistan. The Danish Refugee Council will increase efforts to support the reintegration process of both returnees and IDPs in 2012.

Afghanistan has experienced more than three decades of conflict, with millions of Afghans fleeing into Pakistan and Iran. According to UNHCR, since 2002 over 5.6 million Afghan refugees have returned home. These returnees represent nearly a quarter of Afghanistan’s population, yet more than 40% have not fully reintegrated. At the same time almost half a million IDPs remain in the same position.

“Ongoing conflict, limited infrastructures and basic services, shortage of land and housing, lack of livelihood and income opportunities – these things all add to the difficulties in reintegrating the millions of returning refugees and IDPs. The challenges must be addressed coordinated between national institutions and the international community,” says Stefano Cordella, DRC Country Representative in Afghanistan.

Aligned with UNHCR’s broad reintegration strategy and in cooperation with Afghan authorities, DRC will contribute to promoting durable solutions - strengthening the livelihood support to the increasing number of returnees and IDPs. In addition, as part of its effort, DRC will second a Reintegration Specialist to the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations.

“We are now established in Afghanistan and ready to upscale our efforts – we have a clear image of the problems, a clear mandate and a clear strategy,” says Stefano Cordella.

During its first year of intervention in Afghanistan, DRC has been assisting IDPs squatting in the informal settlements and slum areas of Kabul, carrying out a skill training programme aiming at employment and self-employment and providing nutritional support to the participants of the ongoing skill training programme.

In addition, DRC organizes the Afghan Diaspora in Denmark via a grants facility to take part in the support to sustainable livelihoods of compatriots in Afghanistan. DRC’s activities in Afghanistan also take place within the framework of Danish Demining Group (DDG) and the Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees (DACAAR).

DANIDA, WFP and UNHCR are among the central DRC partners in Afghanistan.

Read more about DRCs work in Afghanistan

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