Press release ACTED Afghanistan: RELIEF AGENCIES WELCOME REFUGEE CONFERENCE, CALL FOR RENEWED EFFORTS
Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday 18th November: The repatriation of Afghan refugees since 2002 has been the world’s largest repatriation operation ever, with over five million people estimated to have returned, but millions remain in exile in neighbouring Pakistan and Iran. Afghanistan is facing enormous challenges meeting the needs of returning refugees to ensure that their return is sustainable.
Tomorrow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNHCR in Afghanistan will co-chair an International Conference on Return and Reintegration. The Conference will work to build consensus on the political, security, economic and social priorities and issues that need to be addressed if continued progress is to be maintained in voluntary repatriation and reintegration. In particular, the Conference will seek to gain endorsement of the estimated budget allocation required to support the reintegration of returnees between 2009 and 2013 in line with the Afghanistan National Development Strategy. Read more…
Much progress has been made in the Nargis-affected delta of Myanmar. Although some agencies have phased out, and others are still struggling to access funding, across the region many agencies are scaling up from emergency assistance to livelihoods support schemes. Cash for work, agricultural training and input distribution, fisheries and livestock restocking are the main focus of NGOs working in livelihoods.
