BORDER MONITORING UPDATE COVID-19 RESPONSE 26 July – 08 August 2020
A refugee returnee family from Iran using hand washing facility at UNHCR’s Encashment Center in Herat, Afghanistan
August 2020 CHA/ Zalmai Azimi
Since 01 January, UNHCR assisted the return of 513 Afghan refugees from Iran (454), Pakistan (16) and other countries (43) under its facilitated voluntary repatriation programme. UNHCR, as of 04 March 2020, temporarily 513 suspended the voluntary return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, Iran and other countries as a precautionary AFGHAN REFUGEES measure linked to COVID-19. Voluntary repatriation from Iran resumed as of 30 April. More recently, UNHCR, RETURNED TO in close collaboration with the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan initiated preparations to resume the AFGHANISTAN facilitated voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan as of 10th August. UNHCR in Pakistan will process returning refugees on Mondays and Tuesdays and they subsequently will be able to cross through Torkham and Chaman/Spin Boldak crossing points on the same days. Once in Afghanistan, returnees will receive a cash grant covering transportation and initial reintegration (on average USD 250 per person) and other services at one of three encashment centers (located in Nangarhar, Kabul, and Kandahar). This working 431,595 arrangement will be revised as necessary. According to MoRR/IOM, during the weeks of 26 July – 01 August and 02 - 08 August, the total number of UNDOCUMENTED undocumented returnees from Iran was 14,508 (8,890 spontaneous returnees and 5,618 deportees) and AFGHANS RETURNED 10,251 (5,616 spontaneous returnees and 4,635 deportees) respectively. During the same period, the total FROM IRAN AND PAKISTAN return from Pakistan was 60 (30 each week, all spontaneous returnees). Since 01 January, the total number of undocumented returnees is 431,595 individuals, including 429,632 from Iran (292,931 spontaneous returnees and 136,701 deportees) and 1,963 from Pakistan (1,839 spontaneous returnees and 124 deportees). On 22 June 2020, the Government of Pakistan announced that Torkham and Spin Boldak crossing points will 16,646 open six days a week (Sunday – Friday) for commercial purposes. Pedestrian movement of stranded Afghans and Pakistanis is officially permitted once per week (Saturday). INTERVIEWS WITH During the reporting period, the Torkham and Spin Boldak crossing points were opened for pedestrian RETURNEES FROM IRAN movements on the following days: AND PAKISTAN Torkham: - On 29 and 30 July, 1,029 and 1,065 stranded Afghans crossed into Afghanistan, while 254 and 390 stranded Pakistanis returned to Pakistan. - On 08 August, 5,864 stranded Afghans crossed through Torkham into Afghanistan, while 1,302 stranded F Pakistanis returned to Pakistan. 17% Spin Boldak: - After almost two months’ closure, the border was re-opened on 29 July for few hours and 2,308 stranded M Afghans crossed into Afghanistan and 3,104 stranded Pakistanis returned to Pakistan. 83% - On 04 and 08 August the border was re-opened for pedestrian movements, following deadly clashes on 30 July, and a total of 20,239 stranded Afghans crossed into Afghanistan while 23,075 stranded Pakistani returned to Pakistan. Due to Eid holidays (30 July - 02 August), this update covers two weeks (26 July – 08 August 2020).
BORDER MONITORING UPDATE | COVID-19 RESPONSE Afghanistan 08 August 2020
BORDER MONITORING
In line with UNHCR’s protection monitoring objectives, and in the context of increased incidence of COVID-19 across the territory of Afghanistan, UNHCR made the decision to expand its protection and return monitoring activities to the official entry points with Iran (Islam Qala and Zaranj/Milak crossing points) and with Pakistan (Spin Boldak and Torkham), when open for pedestrian movements. Through maintaining a consistent presence at these zero points, UNHCR aims to ensure efficient, timely and systematic gathering of protection information from Afghan returnees.
Between 26 July – 08 August, 2,070 interviews, including 1,687 male and 383 female respondents, were carried out with returnees from Iran (1,811) and Pakistan (259). Since the start of border monitoring on 05 April, a total of 16,646 returnees (13,742 M and 2,904 F) were interviewed as they entered Afghanistan from Iran at Zaranj/Milak (7,772) and Islam Qala (7,949), and from Pakistan at Torkham (517), and Spin Boldak (408), including 13,213 single individuals and 3,433 heads of households who returned with their families. It should be noted that because of the border restrictions, returnees from Pakistan are mainly passport/ID holders.
Note: The female sample size is small because there is a high proportion of single males among the returnees/deportees from Iran.
Respondents’ Return Status Respondents (%) by Entry Point Respondents’ Age and Gender Female 0.2% Deportee 47.4% Spin 12-17 Male Boldak 6.3% Zaranj/ 3.1% Spontaneous Milak 37.2% 46.7% Torkham returnee 2.5% 12.6% 18-34 62.8%
Passport holder 11.5% 3.8% 35-59 Tazkira/ token 12.4% 3.4% holder Islam Qala 60 and 0.8% VRF holder 0.5% 47.8% over 1.1%
Years Spent in the CoPR Reason for entry to CoPR Sources of Information about COVID 19 in Iran & Pakistan In search of 84.1% employment 19.6% 48.0% Less 66.4% TV than 1 31.5% 90.7% 5.6% year Conflict 1.2% 31.3% Radio 4.2% 29.4% 1 - 5 25.8% Family visit 34.3% Mosque/ years 5.5% 11.5% religious 1.6% 13.9% Drought leaders 0.5% 6 - 10 3.4% Local 7.2% years 0.5% For medical 1.5% community 14.5% treatment 27.7% Community 1.6% To move to Turkey 1.5% More 3.4% leaders 8.2% than 10 & onward to Europe 0.2% years 1.8% 0.3% 0.9% Information Business leaflet 1.8% 8.9% Born in 0.9% Iran Iran 0.1% CoPR 1.4% 0.6% Other Iran Other 0.7% Pakistan 7.7% Pakistan Pakistan www.unhcr.org 2
BORDER MONITORING UPDATE | COVID-19 RESPONSE Afghanistan 08 August 2020
Situation in Country of Prior Residence (CoPR) - Iran and Pakistan
Interviewed Returnees from Iran (Islam Qala and Zaranj/Milak):
50% deportees, 39% spontaneous returnees, 10% passport holders and 1% VRF holders; 27% of the interviewed VRF holders, 23% spontaneous returnees, 13% of deportees, and 6% of passport holders were female; 72% of the interviewed returnees stated that they returned from five provinces in Iran: Tehran, Sistan va Baluchestan, Khuzistan, Fars, and Kerman; 66% spent less than one year in Iran; 84% went to Iran in search of livelihoods opportunities, 6% due to conflict, 4% to visit family/relatives, 2% for medical treatment, 2% (mainly deportees) to move to Turkey and onward to Europe, and 2% other reasons;
31% (4,939 respondents) claimed that they faced problems during the COVID-19 outbreak, such as lost work/wages, lack of access to medical services, movement restrictions related to the lockdown, pressure by authorities to leave for Afghanistan discrimination/stigmatization by local communities, and lack of access to markets; 92% of returnees and deportees stated that they had received information about COVID-19 in Iran, mainly through TV, radio and local communities;
14% of interviewed deportees stated that they did not receive information about COVID-19 in Iran; this figure is much lower among passport holders (4%), spontaneous returnees (1%) and VRF holders (1%); 43% (6,701 respondents) claimed that they had paid a municipality (return) tax (100,000 – 500,000 IRR/ approximately USD 7-35);
23% claimed that they faced problems during return: high transportation/ travel costs, fee charged at detention center, limited
transportation services to reach the border, overcrowded situation in the bus stations, or bribe required to pass police check point; Since early May, Iranian health officials in Dogharoun have been conducting a health screening process and providing returning
refugees and passport holders with a health certificate issued after a temperature check and interview focused on possible COVID-19 symptoms. This practice was put in place after a request for screening by Afghanistan’s MoPH.
Interviewed Returnees from Pakistan (Spin Boldak and Torkham): 61% were Tazkira/token holders1, 29% passport holders, and 10% spontaneous returnees; 59% of the interviewed spontaneous returnees, 45% of Tazkira/token holders, and 12% of passport holders were female; 46% of the interviewed returnees stated that they returned from Baluchistan, 37% from KPK, 10% Sindh, 6% Punjab, and 1% from Islamabad; 90% spent less than a year in Pakistan; 34% went to Pakistan to visit family/relatives, 28% for medical treatment, 20% in search of livelihoods opportunities, 9% for business purpose, 1% due to conflict, and 8% cited other reasons; 55% (510 respondents) claimed that they faced problems during the COVID-19 outbreak, mainly movement restrictions due to the lockdown, lost work/wages, lack of access to markets, and lack of access to medical services; 95% stated that they had received information about COVID-19 in Pakistan, mainly through TV, radio, mosque/ religious leaders and local communities; 35% claimed that they faced problems during return: overcrowded bus stations, high transportation/ travel costs, limited transportation services to reach the border, or bribe required to pass police check point.
Reasons for Return to Afghanistan (Spontaneous returnees, VRF holders, and Passport/ID holders)
Reunite with family members in Afghanistan 39.9% 54.2% 17.8% No employment opportunities in CoPR 6.9% Fear of COVID-19 16.2% 3.1% High cost of living/ high rent in CoPR 6.8% 0.5% Denied access to health facilities 2.8% 3.5% Discrimination by local community 1.1% 0.6% 1.1% Threat of detention /forced quarantine 10.4% Fear of arrest and/or deportation 0.7% 4.8% Abuse by police or state authorities 0.3% 0.3% Iran Other 13.2% Pakistan 15.8%
1 This category are those Afghans who live along the border area in Afghanistan and normally move back and forth to Pakistan and Afghanistan frequently. www.unhcr.org 3
BORDER MONITORING UPDATE | COVID-19 RESPONSE Afghanistan 08 August 2020
The border monitoring data shows that there was a sharp increase in the number of deportees in June/July as compared to May. In order to better assess these trends, UNHCR revised its border monitoring tool to collect deportation reasons as well as intentions of returnees and deportees after their arrival in Afghanistan. The revised tool has been implemented as of 04 July in all entry points and since then a total of 6,175 interviews were conducted, including 2,797 interviews with deportees (2,399 M and 398 F).
The majority of interviewed deportees (94%) cited lack of documentation and irregular entry to CoPR as the reasons provided to them for their deportation.
2.2% of interviewed deportees (75 respondents, including 51 single individuals and 24 family cases) stated that they were arrested and deported following their attempt to leave Iran and move onward to a third country in the absence of proper documentation.
2% (61 respondents) of the interviewed deportees (2,797) stated that they went thorugh a legal procedure and were deported after receiving a court order, while over 98% of the interviewed deportees stated that they were deported in the absence of a court order.
Note: “No Go Areas” are specific provinces in Iran where forign nationals including Afghans are not allowed to travel and work.
Reason Provided for Deportation (only deportees from Iran)
Lack of documentation 64.0% Irregular entry to CoPR 30.4% Trying to exit CoPR/move onward without proper documentation 2.2% I did not have a work permit 0.9% Deported after release from prison/custody 0.7% Traveling/Working in “No Go Area” 0.7% Expiration of passport/visa 0.6% Expiration of my work permit 0.2% Could not present documentation at the time of arrest 0.1% Other 0.1%
Information Dissemination in Afghanistan
Did you receive information upon Did you receive any information about arrival in Afghanistan? COVID 19 while you were in your CoPR?
Islam Qala 84.6% 15.4% 98.4% 1.6%
85% Zaranj/ Milak 89.0% 11.0% 85.5% 14.5%
Spin Boldak 70.2% 29.8% 95.0% 5.0% OF INTERVIEWED RETURNEES Torkham 94.1% 5.9% STATED THAT THEY RECEIVED 27.2% 72.8% INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 Total (all 84.8% 15.2% 92.2% 7.8% UPON ARRIVAL IN AFGHANISTAN entry points) Yes No Yes No As noted in previous updates, the gap in information dissamination in Torkham is mainly the result of the limited opening of the border for pedestrian movements, which creates an overcrowded situation as thousands of people try to cross at once, with little attention to services provided by partners, including health screening and information dissemination about COVID-19. However, it should be noted that 94% of the interviewed returnees in Torkham confirmed that they received information about COVID-19 in the CoPR. UNHCR has raised this matter with the border authorities and partners. Similarly, the information gap in Spin Boldak is related to limited opening hours of the border for pedestrian movement and the fact that returnees are not focused on services, including awarnees raising about COVID-19. The information gap at Zaranj/Milak has improved significantly (from 42% to 11%) since UNHCR’s follow-up with partners in early May. Overall, the provision of information has improved (from 70% to 85%) since May/June.
www.unhcr.org 4
BORDER MONITORING UPDATE | COVID-19 RESPONSE Afghanistan 08 August 2020
Areas of Return in Afghanistan (origin vs intended destination) and Intentions after Return
3% do not return to their areas of origin due to lack of livelihood opportunities, reunification with family/relatives, lack of housing/shelter, and perceived insecurity. Interviewed returnees from Iran were travelling to all 34 provinces across the country, with the
97% majority (70%) intending to return to Herat, Faryab, Nimroz, Takhar, Kunduz, Ghor, Farah, Balkh, Badakhshan, and Badghis provinces.
OF THE INTERVIEWED Interviewed returnees from Pakistan were traveling to 29 provinces, with the majority (87%) intending to return to Kandahar, Nangarhar, Kabul, Ghazni, Helmand, Kunduz, Paktika, Paktya, RETURNEES FROM IRAN AND Kunar, and Laghman provinces.
PAKISTAN DECLARED DURING 82% of the respondents confirmed that they own a Tazkira (84% of male respondents and 68% of female respondents). THE INTERVIEW THAT THEY 75% of the interviewed returnees/deportees stated that have no education. 10% stated that they ARE RETURNING TO THEIR have minimal education (up to grade 6), 6% up to grade 9, 7% up to grade 12, 1% went to university,
AREAS OF ORIGIN and 1% went to madrasa. 84% stated that they will stay in their own house, 11% stated that they will rent a house, nearly 4% will stay with relatives. Nearly 92% of the interviewed returnees/deportees from Iran and 56% from Pakistan stated that they will try to find a job in their province of origin. 7.5% of respondents from Iran and 32% from Pakistan stated that they intend to go back to the CoPR: for employment, to collect property or to join family. 6.3% of the respondents from Iran stated that they intend to go back to move on to a third country.
Intention after return/deportation Reasons for going back to CoPR
43.7% Will search for work in my 91.6% Employment province of origin 56.4% 21.1% 7.5% 26.0% Want to go back to CoPR Collect property/assets 31.9% 1.1%
Will search for a job in another 0.7% 23.2% Join my family province in Afghanistan 10.6% 73.7%
0.3% 6.3% Will join the police/army Will move on to a third country 0.0% 0.0% Iran 0.0% Iran Other 0.9% 1.1% Pakistan Other 4.2% Pakistan
Living arrangements after return Education Level - Returnees from Iran & Pakistan
I will stay in my own house 84.2% Grade 1-6 9.1% 10.1% Female I will rent a house 11.2% Grade 7-9 3.0% Male 6.4% I will stay with relatives 3.6% Grade 10-12 3.1% 7.5% I will buy a house 0.3% Madrasa 2.9% I will stay in a makeshift shelter 0.3% 1.0% Technical Vocational 0.2% I will stay in an open area 0.1% Training 0.3% University degree 0.5% I will stay in a tent 0.1% 1.1% No education 81.2% Other 0.1% 73.6%
CONTACT US Angela Moore, Snr. Protection Officer | Tel.: +93 791990160 | Email: [email protected]
Mohammad Haroon, Assistant Repatriation Officer | Tel.: +93 791990019 | Email: [email protected]
www.unhcr.org 5