Displacement in Northeastern Afghanistan

Islamabad (Office of the United Nations Co-ordinator for Afghanistan), 15 September 2000: Assessment of the numbers and possible needs of families displaced by fighting in Afghanistan's north-eastern Takhar Province is currently underway. UN and NGO teams (UNOCHA, WFP, MSF, ACTED, SNI, SCA, MCI, NPO, FOCUS) are visiting various areas and conducting a joint assessment based on a common methodology agreed upon in Faizabad, the provincial capital of neighbouring Badakhshan Province. A clearer picture is emerging, and some assistance is already being provided. A co-ordinated response strategy is also being developed.
The situation still remains fluid in Takhar Province as displaced persons continue to move to widely scattered locations, which is making the process of assessment more difficult. However, initial reports indicate that that large numbers of IDPs have concentrated in Keshem and Dasht-i-Qala, with smaller numbers in Rustaq, Kunduz, Farkhar, Warsaj, and Faizabad. Although aid workers on the ground currently do not believe that that the displaced will go to Tajikistan, it is impossible to predict future movements. Preliminary reports have been received that indicate that commercial activities have somewhat resumed in Taloqan, provincial capital of Takhar Province, and that people are returning to the city.

A WFP/UNOCHA assessment of the situation in Keshem found that most of the displaced were housed with local families or in public buildings. While many were able to bring some possessions with them, most have limited resources. To bridge the gap of their needs, many families are selling assets including livestock. Ongoing assessment in Dasht-I-Qala indicates that numbers of displaced there are higher than in Keshem, and families' assets are lower. As in Keshem, most of the displaced have found accommodation with local families.

The number of visible IDPs is far less than the population that has reportedly left Taloqan and surrounding areas. This may be because people are scattered over a very large area and have found accommodation with local families and friends, already under economic stress, and in public buildings. However, reports have also been received that some of the displaced are without shelter, and may be in need of food or other non-food assistance.

For the 850 families who have arrived in Faizabad, MSF and WFP have started providing water, sanitation, medical and supplementary feeding (corn-soy blend), while local authorities are also providing food. In other areas local authorities are reported to have assisted some of the displaced with limited financial assistance.

Contrary to what has been reported in the international press, there is no dearth of food supplies among the assistance community at present. WFP is well stocked in the region, with more food in the pipeline for the area. On the medical side, MSF, SCA, and others have established first aid posts in the main areas of concentration and on the routes to Faizabad. Relief supplies such as blankets and plastic sheeting are being sent by UNICEF and UNOCHA to Faizabad.

For more information contact:

Stephanie Bunker, Office of the UN Co-ordinator for Afghanistan, 211451 x 415; mobile 0320 261325