DC OR UNOCA/1988/1 Add.l .6

----0-PE-RA:-TI-ON-SA-LA_M__ ifJ~f~,~~~~fl~IJ!ililf

FIRST CONSOLIDATED REPORT

UP-DATE FEBRUARY 1989

ACKU ------·------AFGHANISTAN PROVINCE MAP WITH SIX REGIONS SHOWN

LEGEND

B _NORTH ~ EAST CENTRAL ~ NORTH EAST rn SOUTH 123 EAST rn NORTH· WEST

0 50 IOOkm

Office of the Co-ordinator for United Nations ~~~ ;~\ ~:.;\ ~ ~ Bureau du Coordonnateur des programmes Humanitarian and Economic Assistance ~,)l-.:j':il,.,- ~-L.... ;':¥'1 ;..u:.Lll d'assistance humanitaire et economique des Programmes relating to Afghaniswn 0L::.__;L;.j ~ ;LdI Nations Unics rclatifs a !'Afghanistan UNOCA/1988/l.Add.l 1 February 1989

OPERATION SALAM

UPDATE TO THE FIRST CONSOLIDATED REPORT

Prepared by The Office of the Co-ordinator for Humanitarian and Economic Assistance Programmes Relating to Afghanistan

CONTENTS

I. OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION 1

Table 1: Registered returnees by Province (January 1987 - October 1988) 3

II. RESPONSE TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S APPEAL

1. Pledging Conference (New York, 12 October 1988) 5

Table II: List of Pledges and Contributions as at 16 January 1989 6-9

2. Status of Contributions 10

3. Breakdown of Pledges by United Nations system executing agencies 11

Table III: Breakdown of Pledges by United Nations system executing agency 12

4. Missions to Moscow 13

5. Interagency meetings 14

6. Relationships with the Donor Community and other contacts 16 7. Strengthening ofACKU the Co-ordinator's Presence in the Field 17

III. INTERAGENCY NEEDS ASSESSMENT MISSIONS INSIDE AFGHANISTAN

Salam 1 - Across the Iranian border 18 Salam 2 - To Herat from Kabul 19 Salam 3 - 45 days in north east Afghanistan 21 Salam 4 - 24 Salam 5 - 100 hours in Kunar 25 Salam 6 - 400 kilometres through Paktika 26

-i-

GE.89-007(;~ I. OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION

Fighting continues in many areas of the country while the 15 February deadline for the withdrawal of Soviet troops draws closer. Heavy fighting is reported along the main supply routes and around the larger towns which are still controlled by government forces. Several provincial capitals have been evacuated or have fallen to the Mujahedeen. In areas where combat has ceased the threat of aerial bombardment or of rocket attacks still persists. In Kabul prices of essential goods are reported to be increasing rapidly because of the reduced quantities of supplies which can reach the city. Food shortages are already creatin~ serious problems for the more vulnerable groups: children, nursing mothers and the elderly. Fuel is also running short and frequent power cuts are reported. Contingency plans are being prepared by t h e Co-ordinator, including the possibility of an airlift to provide food and other essential items to vulnerable groups.

Food shortages and famine risks are reported in traditional deficit areas such as Badakhshan where the consequences of the summer 1988 drought and resulting crop failure have been compounded by insecurity and difficulties of access. Locusts, or according to some reports, grasshoppers, have caused extensive damage to cereal crops in many districts of north west Afghanistan. Although the precise extent of the locust threat is not known, in some areas of Badghis province, crops have been completely lost. In the absence of any control measures the situation will only become more serious and the prices of wheat and barley have already more than doubled. Many farmers have reportedly had to sell their cattle in order to buy wheat.

The suffering of AfghansACKU both inside and outside their country therefore continues and is made more serious by the harsh winter, the coldest in sixteen years. At the same time, increasing information is becoming available on areas of relative security - where fighting has ceased and where the beginnings of a civilian administration are perceptible - which already offer opportunities for access and for the planning and implementation of relief and rehabilitation activities.

- 1 - No significant movements of refugees returning from neighbouring countries are as yet reported. Statistics provided by the Kabul Government indicate that some 170,000 returnees have been registered from January 1987 to October 1988. The attached Table shows that close to 50% of those officially registered have returned to the Herat and Nangarhar provinces, the other provinces (with the exception of Kandahar) receiving only a trickle of returnees. The extent to which there have been additional cross-border movements which escape the official returnee registration system is not known, but most observers agree that these do not seem to have been significant during the past months.

Reports from inside Afghanistan (see also the results of Salam missions in Chapter III below) indicate that there has been some movement of internally displaced families from the towns, in particular Kabul, to valleys of origin where the situation has stabilized (e.g. the Panjshir valley) but no reliable quantitative information is available.

ACKU

- 2 - Table I: Registered returnees by Province (January 1987 - October 1988)

He rat 46685 Farah 4543 Nimroz 4522 Oruzgan 199 Faryab 1968 Ghorat 147 Badghis 181 Jozjan 1692 Barny an 624 Hazar 3702 Samangan 1316 Baghlan 4687 Kunduz 4833 Takhar 431 Badakhshan 63 Helmand 2585 Kandahar 18048 Zabul 2515 Ghazni 2892 Paktika 3186 Khost 3265 Paktia 4356 Logar 506 Nangarhar 44848 Konarha 2453 Laghman 3180 Kapissa 597 ParwanACKU 1260 Wardak 169 Kabul 4122 Sare Pul 237

TOTAL 169912

Source: Ministry of Returnees, Kabul

- 3 - While the situation on the ground is still fraught with uncertainties, steps are being taken within the United Nations system (and among its operational partners) which will place the international community in the best position to tackle successfully the enormous task of relief and rehabilitation. This report focuses on the practical steps already taken by the Co-ordinator and his colleagues of the United Nations system to meet this challenge. Much has happened since September 1988 when the First Consolidated Report was issued. "Operation Salam" was officially launched at the beginning of the United Nations Pledging Conference in New York on 12 October 1988. The conference itself was a remarkable event more than US$800 million was pledged in one day. A presence has been established in Islamabad, Kabul and Tehran. Essential groundwork has been done and has led to programme planning and project identification. A number of preliminary projects are in their take-off stage and more are in the pipeline. The first interagency needs assessment missions organized by the Co-ordinator have taken place and have provided first hand information on levels of destruction and immediate needs of the population. Follow-up delivery missions - where essential inputs: food, seed, fertilizer, drugs, construction materials will be provided - are being organized. A report on these and other developments will be found in the following pages.

ACKU

- 4 - II. RESPONSE TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S APPEAL

1. Pledging Conference (New York, 12 October 1988)

The Pledging Conference in response to the Secretary-G ~ neral's Appeal was held in New York on 12 October. It was opened by the Sec retary-General in the presence of the Co-ordinator as well as that of the Administrator of UNDP, the Executive Director of WFP, the High Commissioner for Refugees and representatives of most of the United Nations agencies involved in redressing the Afghan situation.

The meet~ng began with the Secreta~y-General and the Co-ordinator

officially launc~ing "Operation Salam". After brief statements by Executive Heads, donors announced their pledges. The most important pledge was that of the Soviet Union, (the equivalent of US$660 million at current exchange rates, mostly in kind). Never before has the Soviet Union made such a substantial contribution to the humanitarian activities of the United Nations. The pledge was described by the Soviet Ambassador as taking the form, among other things, of "free deliveries from the USSR of consumer goods, including foodstuffs, clothes, footwear, linen, medical supplies, school appliances, fabrics etc. and free deliveries from the USSR of equipment and materials for constructing projects in various branches of the economy under the United Nations sponsored programmes . . ." . For further details on current plans for the utilization of the Soviet pledge, see Section II, 4 below.

Other generous pledges were made by a number of donors. Token but highly symbolic pledges were also made at the Conference and in the following weeks. The United States representative reaffirmed his Government's commitment to providing assistance to ACKUthe people of Afghanistan and its support for the Co-ordinator's effort. The State Department has since advised the Co-ordinator of the substantial contribution it will make in 1989: US$33 .1 million in food aid to WFP, US$20 million to UNHCR and US$2 million for the de-mining programme. Table II gives details of the pledges made so far.

- 5 - Table II: SECRETARY-GENERAL'S APPEAL OF 10 JUNE 1988 FOR HUMANITARIAN AND ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN

LIST OF PLEDGES AND CONTRIBUTIONS - as at 16 January 1989

(US$'000)

AFGHANISTAN EMERGENCY TRUST FUND WFP/DIRECT ICRC NOT CONTRIBUTIONS & COUNTRY PLEDGE UNEARMARKED EARMARKED DECIDED TO INT. ORG. NGO'S REMARKS

AUSTRALIA 16,260 - predominantly food - through international organizations and Australian NGO's

AUSTRIA a) 500 500 a) 3,000 metric tons of cereals b) 1 ,500 1 ,500 b) for agricultural development and rehabilitation, including support for handicrafts

0' BANGLADESH 5 5

BULGARIA 588 1 million leva. in kind: drugs, clothes, blankets including transport costs

CAMEROUN 3 3""

CANADA a) 826 124"" 702"" a) - 124 for UNOCA - 702 for UNHCR b) 17,647 ACKUb) through int. org. and NGO's

DENMARK a) 1,110 1, 110"" b) 8,772 b) contribution for first year through int. org, ICRC, NGO's

EEC 25,029 14,552 10,477 for 1988: agricultural develop~ent, roads, irrigation, shelter, potable water, drugs, medical equipment LIST OF PLEDGES AND CONTRIBUTIONS- 16.1.89- cont/2

AFGHANISTAN EMERGENCY TRUST FUND WFP/DIRECT ICRC NOT CONTRIBUTIONS & COUNTRY PLEDGE UNEARMARKED EARMARKED DECIDED TO INT. ORG. NGO•S REMARKS

FINLAND a) 948 948* a) - 717 UNHCR b)- 1,647 UNHCR - 116 UNICEF 471 WHO - 116 WHO 471 UNICEF b) 4,707 1,059* 3,648* - 1,059 UNDP

FRANCE a) 2,805 908 908 660 (NGO•s) 1988: 330 (ICRC) a) - 908 UNOCA 908 UNHCR b) 12,211 1,320 2,475 5, 776 1989: 2,310 (NGO) b) - 1,320 UNOCA +de-mining 330 (ICRC) - 330 UNICEF - 2,145 UNHCR

GERMANY, 1988: -....~ FEDERAL a) 5,753 1 ,420* 3' 197* 1 1136 a) - 1,420: 852 UNOCA REPUBLIC OF 568 health sector 3,197: 2,325 UNHCR 872 UNICEF b) 500 500 b) - 500 UNICEF

c) 22,727 5,682 GREECE 2,000 ACKU2,000 10,000 tons of wheat HOLY SEE 10 10*

ITALY a) 14,000 1 ,000"' 12,000 1 ,000 b) 15,000 b): subject to confirmation ready to examine propo~a1s from UNV and UNFDAC PROVISIONAL LIST OF PLEDGES AND CONTRIBUTIONS - 16/1/89 - cont/3

AFGHANISTAN EMERGENCY TRUST FUND WFP/DIRECT ICRC NOT CONTRIBUTIONS & COUNTRY PLEDGE UNEARMARKED EARMARKED DECIDED TO INT. ORG. NGO'S REMARKS

IRELAND 106 11"' 95"' 11 UNOCA 95 UNHCR

ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE 62 62"'

JAPAN 60,000 3,200 3,200 UNHCR

LUXEMBOURG 541 541

MONGOLIA 100 in kind o:> NETHERLANDS 2,500 1. 108"' 403"' 239 1,108 UNOCA/Agricultural Seeds 403 UNICEF 750 750 UNHCR

NORWAY a) 924 231"' 693"' a) 693 UNHCR b) 2 '000 2,000"' b) 2,000 for concrete actions in the field c) 10 '606 500"' 4,803 5,303 c) 500 UNICEF

SPAIN a) 862 862 b) 129 ACKU129 b) contr·ibution of Spanish ColllTiittee for UNICEF

SWEDEN a) 6,233 6,233"' a) 2,000 UNOCA b) 12,783 6,472 6,311 b) for first half of 1989: 6,472 LIST OF PLEDGES AND CONTRIBUTIONS - 16/1/89 - cont/4

AFGHANISTAN EMERGENCY TRUST FUND WFP/DIRECT ICRC NOT CONTRIBUTIONS & COUNTRY PLEDGE UNEARMARKED EARMARKED DECIDED TO INT. ORG. NGO'S REMARKS

SWITZERLAND a) 1,265 633* 632* a) 316 UNHCR 316 WFP b) 1,324 662 662 b) 662 UNHCR 662 UNOCA

TURKEY 1,000 for food and de-mining

USSR 600,000 in kind

UNITED KINGDOM 18,110 12,974 5,136 12,546 UNHCR 428 UNICEF 2,568 ICRC 1.0 2,568 NGO's

USA a) 16,705 16,705 b) 2,000 de-mining contribution in kind

YUGOSLAVIA 150 in kind: tents, clothing, footware, medicines

TOTAL 890,301 17,899 15,613 28,969 69,943 22,516 15,004* 10,825* ACKU

* Cash contribution received 2. Status of Contributions

The total response of donors to the Secretary-General's Appeal amounted to some US$890 million by 31 December 1988. The major part of these contributions, which include commitments both in cash and in kind, was announced at the Pledging Conference in New York on 12 October 1988. Contributions in kind comprise approximately three fourths of the total pledges made.

The list of contributors to the United Nations Humanitarian and Economic Assistance Programmes relating to Afghanistan now consists ·of: Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Cameroun, Canada, Denmark, EEC, Finland, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Holy See, Ireland, Italy, Organization of the Islamic Conference, Japan, Luxemburg, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA, USSR and Yugoslavia. A sizeable contribution - more than US$110 million for 1989 - has been decided by the Government of Japan, subject to parliamentary approval.

Pledges for contributions in cash amount to some US$200 million. It is most important that donors provide unearmarked contributions to enable the Co-ordinator to retain flexibility in the allocation of funds based on the changing needs of the relief and rehabilitation operation. Despite this evident fact emphasized by the Secretary-General in his original Appeal - the level of unearmarked contributions remains disappointingly low.

As of 31 December 1988, US$25 million in cash contributions had been received by the Afghanistan Emergency Trust Fund. Of these, some US$15 million were unearmarkedACKU while donors had earmarked the remaining part for United Nations agencies and organizations. The latter have been transferred from the Trust Fund to agencies immediately upon receipt. Unearmarked funds have been allocated either to agencies or for activities implemented directly by the Co-ordinator, such as training and information on de-mining.

- 10 - 3. Breakdown of Pledges by United Nations system executing agencies

Table III gives a breakdown of pledges by executing agencies of the United Nations system. Total resources transferred or pledged to such agencies within the framework of the United Nations Humanitarian and Economic Assistance Programmes relating to Afghanistan amounted to close to US$100 million by 31 December 1988.

Almost US$11 million in cash have been channelled via the Afghanistan Emergency Trust Fund directly to agencies as earmarked contributions. A further amount of US$4 million, pledged as earmarked for agencies, has not yet been received by the Trust Fund. In addition, US$7 million from unearmarked funds have been allocated to agencies for the implementation of specific projects. Furthermore, a number of governments have not yet decided on the breakdown amounting to close to US$29 million between earmarked and unearmarked contributions.

Finally, some US$70 million have been channelled directly from donors to agencies. In accordance with the Secretary-General's Appeal, contributions in kind will continue to be routed directly to the agency concerned. At the same time, donors are urged to adopt or maintain the proc::edure indicated in the Secretary-General's Appeal, whereby all cash contributions are processed through the Trust Fund. ACKU

- 11 - Table III: Breakdown of pledges by UN system Executing A.gency (as at 16 January 1989)

Description US$ (1988-89) "' of total

FAO: Trust Fund project allocations 1,483,000.00 1.50

Total FAO 1,483,000.00 1.50

UNDP: Earmarked cash transfers 1,059,059.51 1.07 Pledged receivables (trust fund) 3,265,868.00 3.30 Trust fund project allocations 2,052,000.00 2.07 Direct contributions 0.00 0.00

Total UNDP 6,376,927.51 6.44

UNHCR: Earmarked cash transfers 6,496,494.10 6.56 Pledged receivables (trust fund) 8,058,065.66 8.14 Direct contributions 18,546,468.00 18.73

Total UNHCR 33,101,027.76 33.43

UNICEF: Earmarked cash transfers 2,361,450.21 2.38 Trust fund project allocations 1,000,000.00 1.01 Pledged receivables (trust fund) 330,000.00 0.33 Direct contributions 1,057,310.00 1.07

Total UNICEF 4,748,760.21 4.80

WHO: Earmarked cash transfers 586,321.78 0.59 Trust fund project allocations 2,159,000.00 2.18 Pledged receivables (trust fund) 0.00 0.00 Direct contributions 0.00 0.00

Total WHO 2,745,321.78 2.77 WFP: ACKU Earmarked cash transfers 316,455.69 0.32 Trust fund project allocations 177,400.00 0.18 Pledged receivables (trust fund) 26,871,174.00 27.14 Direct contributions 23,205,000.00 23.43

Total WFP 50,570,029.69 51.07

TOTALS:

Earmarked cash transfers 10,819,781.29 10.93 Unearmarked allocations 6,871,400.00 6.94 Pledged receivables (trust fund) 38,525,107.66 38.90 Direct contributions 42,808,778.00 43.23

GRAND TOTAL UN AGENCIES 99,025,066.95 100.00

- 12 - 4. Missions to Moscow

At the Pledging Conference in New York on 12 October 1988, the Soviet authorities announced a contribution totalling 400 million roubles, or about US$600 million. The greater part of this contribution would be assistance in the form of commodities ranging from food and fertilizers to many different types of machinery and equipment, to be made available wherever in Afghanistan they may be needed. It would be additional to the substantial bilateral aid already being provided to Afghanistan.

The Co-ordinator met representatives of the Soviet Government in Moscow in mid-November and discussed with them the broad framework within which this substantial contribution would be provided. It was agreed that a follow-up technical mission of those United Nations agencies most concerned with the immediate relief and reconstruction aspects of the programme would visit Moscow to carry matters a stage further between 12 and 14 December 1988. Under the leadership of the Co-ordinator's office, the mission consisted of representatives of FAO, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. The Soviet delegation was led by a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations heading a Task-Force composed of representatives of a number of other Ministries, departments and organizations, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement and leading organizations in the field of commercial transportation. In addition to their substantial in-kind contribution, the Soviet authorities have agreed to donate in hard currency to the Co-ordinator's Programme, up to a limit of US$50 million, any payments received for the transit costs through the Soviet Union of goods supplied by other donors.

One of the main objectivesACKU of the December mission was to provide the United Nations agencies concerned with the opportunity to present detailed lists of their requirements to the Soviet authorities for consideration. This was done after careful preliminary work, through the medium of specific sub-groups set up to examine detailed requirements in transportation and logistics, agriculture, public health, reconstruction and public works and the . special needs of returning refugees. Essentially, the most urgent needs

- 13 - identified, partly as a result of the Salam missions which had already visited Afghanistan, were for food, timber and fuel of various kinds. It was clear that a UN pre sence to arrange and supervise the dis tribution of relief contr ibutions from t he Soviet Union with in Afghanista n would be requi r e d and appropriate s teps a re being taken. At the time of writi ng, the Soviet r esponse t o the deta i l ed r equirements submitted by t he United Nations team is awaited and once this i s receive d furthe r a r rangements can go ahead . A mission, led by the Office of the Co-ordinator and with UNHCR and WFP participants has been fielded to Termez/Hairaton on the Soviet-Afghan border in order to explore transport, storage and logistical possibilities. A mission of the USSR task force to Geneva also took place during the week 30 January to 4 February 1989.

5. Interagency meetings

A full Interagency meeting took place in Geneva on Friday, 25 November 1988. There have now been three such meetings, the first on 23 May, the second on 14 July and the November meeting as the third. On this occasion, 18 organizations or agencies of the United Nations system were represented, including, for the first time, the United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV), the Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA). The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) was represented by UNICEF but will become a full participant in future meetings.

Also present for the first time was a representative of the newly-formed co-ordinating organization of non-governmental agencies operating from Quetta in Pakistan, the South ACKUand West Afghanistan and Baluchistan Agency Co-ordination (SWABAC). SWABAC already represents 15 agencies based in Quetta which have assistance programmes inside Afghanistan and co-operates actively with the Agency Co-ordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR) in Peshawar, which was also represented at the Interagency meeting.

In the course of his opening address, the Co-ordinator referred firstly to the results of the Pledging Conference. He also noted, however, that only a very small proportion of the amount pledged had so far been transferred to the Afghanistan Emergency Trust Fund and that all the contributions actually paid, both earmarked and unearmarked were already accounted for. He therefore

- 14 - urged agencies to come forward with specific project proposals so that donors would be encouraged to convert more of their pledges into cash contributions. The Co-ordinator referred in particular to two pledges made at the Conference, the very large one from the Soviet Union and the other a small but deeply significant one from Bangladesh which, at a time of great hardship of its own, had chosen to give tangible evidence of its profound feeling of solidarity with the suffering of the Afghan people. The Co-ordinator referred to the programme allocations which had been made since mid-October of over US$7 million of unearmarked funds to projects for seed purchase and multiplication, rural development and public works, immunization, health care, water and sanitation, the development of health programmes, including the pre-positioning of drugs, medical supplies and equipment, assistance to disabled Afghans and support to a number of practical grass-roots projects implemented by non-governmental organizations. He told the meeting that expert teams from France, Turkey and the United Kingdom had now submitted their report and recommendations on the best means of mounting a comprehensive programme of training and information on mine-avoidance and mine-clearance among Afghan refugees. Based on these reports, an initial project totalling US$3 million had already been prepared and he hoped that the de-mining programme would get off the ground in January 1989. The Co-ordinator also briefed the meeting on the very positive results of his visits to Moscow and Tokyo between the 14 and 18 November 1988. He particularly mentioned the need for continuing close consultations with the Soviet authorities. Their contribution of 400 million roubles should be put to the best possible advantage and an Inter-Agency technical mission to discuss this in more detail would be in Moscow between 12 and 14 December 1988. (see preceding para.)

The Inter-Agency meeting provided the opportunity for four members of the Salam 3 mission which hadACKU just returned from six weeks in Afghanistan to address colleagues on their conclusions. Their mission had been conducted under gruelling conditions, much of it on foot from the 5, 000 metre high passes of the Hindu Kush into the Panshjir Valley and then to the North East and South East of Kabul, returning to Pakistan via Wardak and Ghazni. Each member of the team spoke graphically of the destruction and devastation which they had seen and of the urgent need for relief assistance, particularly in the form of food, medical supplies, seeds and materials for the reconstruction of houses, especially timber.

- 15 - Future full-scale Interagency meetings will take place at intervals of approximately six months, the next meeting to be convened in about May 1989.

6. Relationships with the Donor Community and other contacts

During the reporting period, the Co-ordinator has been in close touch with the major donors involved in the humanitarian effort relating to Afghanistan as well as with his senior colleagues in the United Nations system. Since September 1988 he has travelled to New York twice for consultations with the Secretary-General. The Secretary-General himself visited Operation Salam headquarters at villa La Pelouse in Geneva on 14 October and was briefed by the staff on current programmes. The Co-ordinator's own travel schedule has been punishing; between the beginning of October 1988 and the end of January 1989, in addition to his trips to New York, he has visited major donor capitals including Moscow, Tokyo, Washington, Stockholm, Oslo and London. In Geneva, he has addressed the Humanitarian Liaison Working Group - which comprises the permanent representatives of the major donors involved in humanitarian assistance activities- on two occasions (12 September and 30 November 1988).

In addition to these important donor consultations, the Co-ordinator has participated directly or has been represented in a number of conferences or meetings on Afghanistan, organized by institutions such as the School for Oriental and African Studies (London), the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Tehran) and several NGO meetings (Turin, Marseilles). ACKU

- 16 - 7. Strengthening of the Co-ordinator's Presence in the Field

Eight months after its establishment in May 1988, Operation Salam has a staff of less than 30, divided between Geneva, Islamabad, Kabul, Peshawar and Tehran. Within the region, chiefs of mission have been identified and have taken up their duties The opening of a small programming office in Peshawar is taking place in order to liaise with United Nations agencies and operational NGOs already established there. The basic philosophy of Operation Salam is to have a small core staff and to tap the available expertise within the United Nations system, of NGOs and independent experts and most importantly of the Afghans themselves in facing the challenges ahead. In this spirit the Co-ordinator's chiefs of mission are working closely with local field representatives of the United Nations system: UNHCR, WFP and WHO have all strengthened their local presence. UNESCO has appointed an advisor on educational issues within the Co-ordinator's office in Islamabad for an initial period of six months starting in January 1989. The UNILOG office has been established (see Section IV, 7 below). As operational opportunities develop, plans are to increase the presence of staff in the region (Kabul, Peshawar, Quetta and Mashed) rather than at headquarters. The Co-ordinator is committed to a decentralizd approach aimed at maximum flexibility which will respond to priorities and needs as they emerge over the coming months. This will mean, inter alia, the establishment of within Afghanistan "support centres" with a part or full-time United Nations presence wherever opportunities for access and delivery are identified. ACKU

- 17 - III. INTERAGENCY NEEDS ASSESSMENT MISSIONS INSIDE AFGHANISTAN

Direct fact-finding inside Afghanistan is essential to assess the real needs of the population and to start planning for rehabilitation and reconstruction. One of the first priorities of the Co-ordinator was therefore to send missions to areas where operational activities can start. In consul tat ion with the Executive Heads of UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP and WFP, the decision was taken to send several missions as soon as possible to different areas inside Afghanistan. The Secretary-General authorized the missions after being informed about their purpose, timing and composition.

Salam 1 - Across the Iranian border

The Salam I mission visited Herat province near the Iranian border during seven days in early December 1988. The mission consisted of seven members (from The Office of the Co-ordinator, UNICEF, UNHCR and WFP) and covered 250 km by jeep, on foot and horseback.

The mission was able to observe that the province had suffered extensive damage during the war. Many villages had been almost totally destroyed. Most of the population had fled to Iran or nearby provinces. The roads are in poor condition and further aggravate a disrupted economic situation. The border with Iran has been closed to commercial traffic and the only supply route from Quetta in Pakistan is by camel. Health and education services are almost non-existent: the most basic supplies are lacking. To the mission's surprise, most of the agricultural land seemed to be under cultivation thanks to the efforts of local leaders.ACKU There is no widespread malnutrition in the areas visited; the problem is more one of quality than of quantity. The diet - wheat-based - is repetitive and basic. Products such as vegetable oil, sugar, rice and tea are in high demand. The mission was of the opinion that the areas visited offered the social and political coherence which would allow the successful implementation of rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes. The possibility of establishing an operational "base" either in Ghorian or Zindejan was considered.

- 18 - The recommendations of the mission include:

1. The urgent provision of medical kits, educational supplies and agricultural inputs and implements;

2. Further United Nations missions to test delivery and absorption capacity;

3. Reinforcement of the United Nations presence both in Iran and in the He rat Province. The mission felt that an essential condition of assistance was the effective establishment of an international presence through extended missions to the area by United Nations personnel.

The Office of the Co-ordinator and the United Nations agencies concerned are preparing concrete follow up actions; small delivery convoys are foreseen in the immediate future.

Salam 2 - to Herat from Kabul

~ 31 __ r:#Lf/5rt This was the first mission to take place (~arly September 1988) and also the first substantive United Nations interagency mission outside Kabul in the last nine years. The mission travelled by air from Kabul to Herat and was able to make an initial assessment of the situation in the city and surrounding rural areas. In spite of a very tense situation, the team did not encounter any direct security hazard. The salient findings of the mission are summarized hereunder: ACKU

War Damage

About 40

Roads inside and outside the city are damaged but usable.

:. 60

- 19 - Virtually all buildings along the first 15 km of main roads leading out of Herat have also been destroyed.

Out of 1,300 villages located in Herat Province, 600 have been either seriously damaged or totally destroyed.

On the other hand, the main hospital, the city schools, the mosque and

60~ of the market have not been severely affected.

60~ of all surgery patients in the provincial hospitals are war wounded.

Mines

During the last five years, the Provincial Hospital has conducted 373 amputations mainly due to anti-personnel mines. The great majority of amputees were children below 15 years. Some 750 other amputations have been done by other medical facilities during the same period. No artificial limb facilities are available in Herat. There are no information campaigns on the dangers of anti-personnel mines.

Returnees

According to the Government of Afghanistan some 60,000 persons have been officially registered between January 1987 to August 1988as returnees from Iran. An additional 20,000 are said to have spontaneously returned without passing through the registration points. The majority (37,000) of the registered returnees have settled in He rat province but the city is also a transit point for refugees movingACKU on to other areas. Agriculture

Extensive damage to the rural infrastructure is reported. Hundreds of irrigation canals, karezes, (traditional underground irrigation systems), wells, bridges, culverts and rural roads have been destroyed. Irrigated

acreage has dropped to just over 50~ of prewar levels. Agricultural production has dropped by up to 50~ in some areas. Wheat production is said

to cover only 60~ of basic minimum requirements. A severe shortfall is likely to occur if large numbers of refugees return. '

- 20 - Education

The school system has practically collapsed. The majority of schools have been destroyed. Many others are seriously damaged and have little, if any, teaching aids, school books or furniture. Primary school teachers are very rare. Some 400 are reported to have been killed.

Health

The health and nutrition situation is critical. Women and children are most severely affected. These basic health care facilities which still exist have little or no drugs and supplies. In the rural areas there is only one doctor per 50,000 inhabitants. Infant mortality in the Herat province is estimated at 185 per 1, 000 live births. 85" of child deaths are caused by diarrhoea and lack of immunization.

The findings of Salam 2 show the magnitude of the effort required for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Herat area. Specialized agencies of the United Nations system are currently preparing more detailed plans for implementation as soon as the situation permits.

Salam 3 - 45 days in North-East Afghanistan ____.~r o/ ~ .,£·t: / / cr- ; .., ~ , ;, I~" ;;, ; fJ rJ r "t-1.-1~..,.:_ )b S)rl ltv-/ -"\.. ~&/ 9-1 c/, 1 v v-IJr (:; ((; {--/ This mission, which was carried out between 10 October and ( 20 November 1988 entered Afghanistan from Chitral in Pakistan by crossing on I foot a 5, 000 metre pass in the Hindu Kush mountains which leads into the ;/h (' Panjshir Valley. The missionACKU members, comprising representatives of UNOCA, ;4 ~r UNHCR, UNDP and WFP, and accompanied by six representatives of three parties of the Peshawar-based Alliance, travelled through nine Provinces: Nuristan, Badakhshan, Takhar, Kapisa, Bamiyan, Maidan/Wardak, Ghazni and Paktia. The mission members travelled mainly on horseback and on foot through rugged territory during an early harsh winter.

- 21 - Objectives

With the aim of defining a framework for the United Nations' involvement in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Afghanistan, the mission's explicit objectives were to:

(a) assess the overall situation in the nine Provinces including the physical conditions and the relief and rehabilitation needs of the population;

(b) identify infrastructural and logistical problems for the distribution of goods and services; and

(c) attempt to establish institutional arrangements with local authorities for the delivery of United Nations humanitarian assistance programmes.

The situation

The mission made an extensive assessment of the existing situation and identified the relief and rehabilitation needs of the people. This was made possible by the co-operation extended by the local villagers, the military commanders, and representatives of the "village councils" and "Grey Beards".

The mission observed heavy damage caused to all the nine Provinces by a decade of war. Disparity, however, exists in the extent of destruction and dislocation caused to the various areas. The zones which suffered the most are all strategic locations which include: areas surrounding military bases; areas surrounding towns underACKU government control; areas adjacent to main roads; and pockets of fierce resistance. Irrespective of the extent of physical damage, in all the provinces there is a large number of displaced persons and the relief and rehabilitation needs are almost identical. Although the war has resulted in the fragmentation of the country, traditional structures still remain strong.

The ten years' war has created severe economic and financial hardship for the rural population of all the nine Provinces. Agriculture and livestock

- 22 - have been severely disrupted due to the displacement of the rural population, destruction and abandoning of irrigation systems, and the lack of seeds and fertilizers. The dislocation caused to agricultural production has inhibited the monetization of the rural economy, and the practice of barter has become more prevalent.

In most of the areas where fighting has ceased, both civil and military populations are eager to start reconstruction. With the meagre resources available in hand, they have begun to rebuild dwellings, reclaiming fields etc. The people are, however, extremely poor and will require a significant level of assistance from external sources to help them. A significant amount of external aid will also be required to rebuild and repair roads and communications which are the pre-requisites for distribution of relief and rehabilitation materials.

Recommendations

Both the civil and military authorities welcome United Nations involvement in relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities. On the basis of an assessment of the existing situation in the nine Provinces, the mission recommended the following:

First, it is important to address the primary needs of the population. These include:

(a) Food - which should be distributed as widely as possible.

(b) Dwellings - importedACKU timber and other building materials need to be made available. The provision of timber is especially important given the very scarce local resources and the environmental impact that would result from their depletion.

(c) Restoration of agriculture Agriculture, livestock and poultry activities need to be restored at both family and village levels through the provision of seeds and fertilizers and assistance in land reclamation. The restoration of orchard plantations should also be encouraged.

- 23 - (d) Physical infrastructure - The priority should be to reconstruct and repair war damaged roads and tracks. A programme for the construction of new communication routes is also required and could be pursued through food for work programmes.

The mission felt that it is important to stimulate the initiatives of the local population in the rehabilitation and development effort. Hence, the distribution of goods and imports should be made at some expense to the beneficiaries (either in cash or kind) except for specific emergency. Local authorities should be encouraged to participate in the design and implementation of all projects. The mission also recommended that the scale of external assistance should be commensurate with the local absorptive and implementation capacity. Also, because of the multiplicity of external assistance (particularly NGOs), all United Nations programmes and projects should be well co-ordinated to avoid duplication of development efforts.

Salam 4

In response to urgent needs identified in the Panshj ir valley by the Salam 3 mission, the Co-ordinator's office and the United Nations agencies concerned decided to test the possibility of operating from Kabul, with the concurrence of the Kabul authorities and of the receiving authorities in the Panshjir. Seeds and fertilizer were purchased locally in Kabul by UNHCR and a convoy of trucks, including a consignment of drugs provided by UNICEF, was organized. Regrettably, the goods were diverted before they reached the intended beneficiaries. Although the commodities were of obvious benefit to Afghans in need, this experienceACKU points to the difficulties of mounting delivery operations in the present complex situation. Future delivery operations will take into account the lessons to be learned from this incident.

- 24 - , ~ 'f ~..... :~ jL fir {( 1 15t/ Salam 5 - 100 hours in Kunar jlKunar province in eastern Afghanistan from 10 to 14 December. Seven participants (from FAO, UNDP, UNHCR, WFP, WHO and UNOCA) were joined by three Afghans nominated by the Peshawar-based Reconstruction Authority for Afghanistan (RAFA). They spent almost exactly 100 hours inside Afghanistan.

A great deal of ground was covered in a short period. There were few vehicles and very little petrol; the team therefore travelled mostly on foot. It confirmed that Kunar has sustained major damage during the war. Most of the population has fled, leaving able-bodied males behind, either to Pakistan, Kabul or neighbouring provinces. There were few women and children in evidence. The roads were in appalling condition, many of them mined. Large areas of pine forest have been stripped. Education and health services are non-existent, economic activity low, and the physical infrastructure - power, the saw mill, irrigation canals, weirs, communications - either badly run down or destroyed.

The morale, however, of the remaining population is high. One suspects that the scale of the reconstruction problem will not fully sink in until the population returns and the demand for basic needs grows. Fighting only ended in Kunar in October.

The mission was deeply impressed by how quickly Afghans are working to get life back to normal. It saw Afghan teams reconstructing the road into Kunar from the Nawa Pass and Pakistan, a task which included demining by hand. It was also impressed by the amount of goods, including fuel, chickens, lamps, seed and consumerACKU i terns, being transported by mule and donkey into Kunar.

The mission recommended that ten modest steps be taken to start relief and rehabilitation work in Kunar, including the provision of assistance to repair the roads and storage facilities; the supply of basic tools for the repair of irrigation systems; and the provision of agricultural inputs. These would be administered in co-operation with the Reconstruction Authority and the main Shura in Chaghasarai (Asababad), the Provincial capital.

- 25 - Salam 6 - 400 kilometres through Paktika I---::£:&/~~ .

An Interagency Mission visited Paktika Province in south-eastern Afghanistan from 18 to 22 December 1988. The mission comprised four representatives from FAO, UNHCR , WFP and the Co-ordinator's office. They we re joined by six Afghans nominated by the Peshawar-based Reconstruction Authority f o r Afghanistan (RAFA). This ten-man team, complemented by Afghan d rivers and escor t s, travelled in two UNHCR Land Cruisers provide d by UNHCR and two rented 4 -wheel d rive p ickup trucks.

The team covered 400 kil ometres inside Paktika Province through difficult terrain across the uninhabited mountain barr ier between south Waziristan in Pakistan and the plains of Paktika Province. The extremely bad weather with snow storms, heavy rains and floods proved to be a major factor limiting the overall mobility of the mission.

Of the five districts in Paktika Province two (Sharan with the provincial capital and Vezaha) had to be omitted from the mission itinerary. Fact-finding in Urgun district was only possible in the Sarobi area. The barren Gomal district was crossed practically non-stop on the last day. The most important part of the mission was spent in Zargun Shar district and in the fertile plains of Katawaz, probably the most productive and populated area of the province.

The parts of Paktika through which the mission travelled gave the impression of peace and security, the last Soviet and Afghan government troops having been withdrawn in early October 1988. The war .seemed far away; the people appeared not to haveACKU any fea r of a sudden return of hostilities or of air-strikes. Apart from the r u i n s of the Zargun Shar garrison and the adjacent hazar, no major war destruction was visible . The villages visited i n the Katawaz Plain were fully i ntact and very mucli bustling with activ ity.

About 60 - 70~ of the prewar population seemed to have remained in their homes and inside their traditional village society. Reports of more extensive destruction in and around the district capitals Urgun and Gomal were noted by the mission but could not be verified.

- 26 - The war has affected t he are as visited more i nd ire ctly than directly. Nevertheless the added damage c a used to this backward province by t he conflict in terms of sheer neglect and increasing impoverishment of the rural population is alarming. The indirect effects of the war on the agricultural situation have been particularly serious. The needs for humanitarian assistance as well as for rehabilita tion are enormous.

The f ood needs o f Pakti ka Province a r e g r eat even in the Katawaz Pl a in and will increase when refugees return. Agricultural output has dropped to an average of 1/4 of prewar levels: much of the arable land is out of cultivation due to abandonment, lack of good seed and fertilizers and drying up of the neglected or damaged karez -irrigation systems. The once extensive flocks of sheep, goats and herds of cattle have been drastically depleted. The shortage of draught oxen is also a major problem. As a result more than

70~ of the food for the resident population has to be imported at high prices from Pakistan. The roads, or rather mud trails and rocky tracks, are in abominable condition.

The health situation is critical, not a single doctor is present in the area inspected. All the schools are closed, the teachers gone. Mines scattered on roads and fields, create constant risks and restrict free movement.

The mission was able to witness an impressive level of self-help activity being developed by the population presently living in Paktika Province. The reconstruction of the karez irrigation system has begun. A rudimentary logistics structure, including new tracks and trails, as well as fuel depots and truck repair stationsACKU has been set up in order to secure essential food items and other consumer supplies from Pakistan. Several tractors have been brought in in this way. A number of villages were in the process of restarting their primary schools with the help of the refugees living in Peshawar.

The mission concluded that there was no immediate survival crisis to be faced by the population presently living in Paktika Province. At the same time substantial relief and rehabilitation needs will have to be addressed in order to restore normal life and prepare the ground for an orderly return of the refugee popu-lation. Repatriation could take place relatively quickly in

- 27 - comparison to other Provinces and prospects for recovery are reasonably promising given the functioning infrastructure of a largely intact habitat and village society. With its human resources in place, with its active potential for self-help and self-reliance and the resulting capacity to absorb inj actions of outside aid, Paktika might very well be an ideal area for immediate, concrete, small-scale United Nations assistance efforts directed towards helping Afghans to help themselves.

The mission submitted five recommendations for immediate action, focusing on the agricultural lifeline of Paktika province:

( 1) a survey by an irrigation/hydrological specialist of the Katawaz plain in Spring 1989;

(2) delivery of improved wheat seeds and fertilizer for the next planting season in October/November 1989;

(3) funding/credit arrangements to assist villages in repairing their karez irrigation systems;

( 4) a funding/credit arrangement to assist farmers in buying draught oxen;

(5) the rehabilitation of storage facilities at the partially destroyed Zargun Shar garrison, ideally situated to act as a support centre for all rehabilitation programmes including temporary housing for returning refugees.

All these steps couldACKU be administered by the United Nations in co-operation with the RAFA and the provincial government structure which needs, however, a more recognizable profile and remains at present very much fragmented.

- 28 - IV. PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENTS

1. Introduction

It was inevitable that the First Consolidated Report of September 1988 contained more of analysis than of accomplishment and focused on what should, or could be done rather than on specific assistance measures that had already taken place. Indeed, as was pointed in the first issue of Operation Salam News, barely US$4 million had been received in the Afghanistan Emergency Trust Fund at the time of the Pledging Conference on 12 October and no projects financed from the Trust Fund had actually been approved for implementation in the field.

Although much remains to be done to translate pledges into contributions and aspirations into action, the situation has nevertheless changed drastically for the better in late 1988 and early 1989. A total of 22 Trust Fund projects are now operational and funds have been transferred, interalia, to UNDP, UNHCR, FAO, UNICEF, WFP, WHO and the Pakistan Red Crescent Society for their implementation. Broadly speaking, these projects cover the fields of voluntary repatriation, agriculture, public health, mother and child care, food aid, public works, mine clearance and the creation of an institutional capacity for a much larger recovery and reconstruction programme once peace has been restored. Five United Nations field missions have taken place inside Afghanistan, mostly of a unique character involving travel under arduous conditions by horseback or on foot, and this has meant that for the first time in ten years programme planning can be based on field observation and assessment rather than on hearsay or the accumulated evidence of the past. Admittedly, much of the country remains to be covered by assessment missions but already it is provingACKU possible to institute quick action delivery missions to meet urgent needs. It is particularly significant from a programme point of view that one mission has been able to enter Afghanistan from Iran and there is now real hope that over the coming months the imbalance in cross-border humanitarian activity in favour of operations from Pakistan will be corrected.

Let it be added that the programme measures so far undertaken constitute no more than a drop in an ocean of need. Contributions actually received in

- 29 - the Trust Fund by mid-January 1989 totalled no more than US$29 million. To the figure of US$29 million dollars received must, however, be added some US$70 million in food aid to WFP or transferred by donors to international organizations direct (a practice which is, happily, now becoming rare). The sums remaining in the Trust Fund for allocation to projects are pitifully small, amounting at the end of January 1989 to only US$3.87 million of which a large part has already been committed for emergency relief operations and projects already being implemented. The major areas of need so far identified by interagency assessment missions are foodstuffs, materials for the reconstruction of houses (especiall y timber), seeds, fertilizer, agricultural implements, the repair of irrigation systems, public health and the reconstruction of roads and bridges. This shows at least that priorities in the allocation of resources are the right ones, since it is in precisely these areas that the programme funds so far released have been allocated. But in each of these areas only a fraction of the funds requested in the Secretary-General's Appeal have been provided and, once refugees begin to return in significant numbers, the urgency of the situation will greatly increase.

The implementation of United Nations system programmes continues to rely heavily on non-governmental organizations and their flexible capacity to implement small multisectoral programmes in difficult conditions. The NGOs operating cross-border from Quetta in Baluchistan have now joined their fellows in forming themselves into a co-ordinating association known as SWABAC. This will certainly greatly assist programme implementation in south western Afghanistan in the future.

In summary, it can fairlyACKU be said that a coherent, if modest, programme of assistance is now firmly underway and that the organizational framework for the planning and implementation of future progr~es has been established. The pre-requisites for the future are internal peace and a greatly enhanced flow of external aid. These are not disassociated requirements; aid can contribute significantly to the restoration of peace and peace without aid will be desolate and bare.

- 30 - Table IV: OPERATIONAL PROJECTS

Project Number & Title Agency Objectives Duration/cost Coll111ents Source of Funding

1. 88/001/HCR/001/A HCR Supply of seeds, fertilizers, 15.8.88 to Related to 88/FA0/002/A Earmarked Emergency Agricultural related agricultural inputs, 30.6.89 Agreements signed with NGOs Assistance rehabilitation of irrigation US$ 1,819,716 Obligated: US$ 1,819.716 systems to increase food avail­ ability by Spring 1989 in 13 Afghan provinces

2. 88/002/HCR/002/A HCR International procurement of 1.4.88-31.12.89 Project description being forwarded Earmarked Procurement for goods US$ 6,576,000 Obligated: US$ 6,000,000 1989 EEC contribution repatriation awaited

w 3. 88/003/HCR/003/A HCR UNHCR establishment of operational Mar.88-Feb.89 Obligated: US$ 2,717,000 Earmarked f-." Operational costs units for repatriation US$ 2,717,000

4. 88/004/HCR/004/A HCR Establishment of UNHCR field June-Dec.88 Obligated: US$ 375,000 Earmarked Field monitoring monitoring offices in Pakistan US$ 375,000

5. 88/005/HCR/005/A HCR Agency operational support. Internal Apr .-Dec. 88 Earmarked Operational support transport/handling/storage US$ 479,684 Obligated: US$ 479,684

6. 88/006/HCR/006/A HCR Data collection forACKU contingency June-Dec.88 Earmarked Repatriation planning planning for Repatriation operation US$ 74,820 Obligated: US$ 74,820

7. 88/007/WFP/001/A WFP Provide administrative and logistic US$ 500,000 Funds transferred 17.11.88. Earmarked Programme support support for WFP field operations Unearmarked for Afghanistan from Co-ordinator US$ 177,400 OPERATIONAL PROJECTS (cont/2)

Project Number & Title Agency Objectives Duration/cost COillllents Source of Funding Status

8. 88/008/FA0/001/A FAO Management support in the field for 1.10.88 to Delivery, distribution aspects to Uneannarked Approved Field management planning and implementation of 31.12.89 be eventually resumed under UNILOG 14.10.88 support agricultural services, technical and US$ 200,000 once operational logistical assistance, in-service Funds transferred 17.10.88 training

9. 88/009/FA0/002/A FAO Provision of wheat seeds 15.10.88 to Related to 88/001/HCR/001/A Uneannarked Approved Provision of seeds to assist fanners in 14 Afghan 15.4.89 Funds transferred 17.10.88 88: ~S$ 1,083,000 14.10.88 provinces during the 89 sowing US$ 3,150,000 Provision of 5000 T of wheat Proje£Uybmi tted seasons seeds, high altitude wheat seeds to donors for funding

w N 10. 88/010/HCR/007/A HCR Provision of seeds, fertilizers to 15.11. 88 to UNICEF also providing approx. Earmarked Emergency agricultural the Panjshir Valley 31.01.89 US$ 150,000 of medicine. assistance US$ 110,000 Project description being prepared

11. 88/011/UNDP/001/A UNDP/ Identify suitable varieties of 14 months Related to 88/012/UNDP/002/A Uneannarked Approved Seed multiplication OPS wheat seeds. Select seeds for mul- US$ 103,236 Funds transferred 14. 10.88 Swedish tiplication and distribution Ctte. ACKU 12. 88/012/UNDP/002/A UNDP/ Increase agricultural productivity 29 months Related to 88/011/UNDP/001/A Uneannarked Approved Agriculture survey OPS by means of survey, research and US$ 2,155,473 Funds required (US dollars) 88: 155,000 15. 11.88 Swedish pilot projects such as delivery of 1988: 155,459 89: ~00,000 Ctte. basic farm inputs. Disseminate 1989: 935,052 initial. information through ACBAR, UNDP 1990: 840,332 Subject to 1991: 224,097 availability of funds OPERATIONAL PROJECTS (cont/3)

Project Number & Title Agency Objectives Duration/cost Comments Source of fun di ng Status

13. 88/013/UNDP/003/A UNDP Set up a planning co-ordinating 2 years Related to 88/016/UNDP/006/A Un earmarked Approved PCU unit in Pe~hawar/Quetta US$ 2,280,862 Funds required (US dollars) 89: 200,000 15.11 .88 1989: 1,261,756 initial 1990: 1 • 019. 106 Co-financing: UNDP $ 1,250,862 UNIFEH $ 30,000

14. 88/014/UNDP/004/A UNDP Set up in Quetta an institutional 2 years Related to 88/015/UNDP/005/A Unearmarked Approved Rural works - Quetta capacity to carry out infrastructure US$ 2,206,884 Operate in Zabul, Kandahar and 89: 300,000 15.11 .88 rehabilitation; t~ _ design construc­ Helmand provinces initial tion facilities (irdgation, main Funds required (US dollars) Earmarked: EEC roads, community structures) in 1989: 1 • 080 '526 funding expected 5 provinces the construction of Funds transferred w 20 karezes, 5 irrigation systems w and 20 kms. of rural road

15. 88/015/UNDP/005/A UNDP Provide in Peshawar technical 2 years Related to 88/014/UNDP/004/A Unearma rked Approved Rural works - Peshawar support to NGOs for ' rural works and Funds required (US dollars) 89: 500,000 15.11.88 training. Provide construction US$ 3,665,114 1989: 1 . 743. 513 in it i a 1 material and equipment for 1990: 1 •921 • 60 1 Earmarked: 60 karezes, 15 irrigation systems Funds transferred EEC funding and 60 km. of rural roadsACKU expected 16. 88/016/UNDP/006/A UNDP Provide technical support to NGOs, 2 years Related to 88/013/UNDP/003/A Unearmarked Approved NGO support unit financial support for project imple­ US$ 2,740,475 1989 : US$ 1,474,414 89: . 500,000 15 . 11 . 88 mentation and ACBAR/SWABAC's opera­ 1990: US$ 1,266,061 in it i a 1 tional cost as well as training of Co-financing: Afghans UNDP : US$ 1,000,000 Funds transferred OPERATIONAL PROJECTS (cont/4)

17. 88/017/UNICEF/001/A UNICEF Immunisation, control of diarrhoeal 1 . 11.88 to US$ 3,000,000 required in 1988 Earmarked Approved 15.11.88 Women & child health diseases, primary health care, mother 31 . 7. 89 Project submitted to donor­ US$ 1,991,000 care and sanitation and child care, water and sanitation, US$ 7,000,000 response awaited Unearmarked nutrition and education Funds transferred US$ 1,000,000

18. 88/018/WH0/001/A WHO Development of Health programmes, 1.12.88 to Funds transferred US$ 90,000 Unearmarked Approved 15.11.88 Development of (provision of training, medical 31.12.89 earmarked for Committee on US$ 1,577,600 Health Programmes & supplies and equipment) and US$20,790,000 Assistance to Disabled Afghans Earmarked Assistance to assistance to disabled Afghans (of which Health assistance projects in US$ 581,400 Disabled Afghans 12,000,000 6 provinces in Afghanistan to be are for WHO initiated soon - as well as Basic & training programme Supplementary Health Kits)

19. 88/019/BBC/001/A BBC Radio broadcasting related to mine 1. 1.89 to 31.12.89 Unearmar:ke..d__ Approved Radio Prograrrmes awareness as well as on disabled and UK£5,000 return of Afghans to home villages w

~ ------

I 20. 88/020/PRCS/001/A PRCS"' Training and information relating to 1. 11.88 to Agreement wi th Unearmarked: Hine awareness mine clearance, medical emergency aid 31.10.89 PRCS signed 89: US$ 500,000 information campaign and and assistance to disabled Initial Budget Initial mine clearance training US$ 3,000,000

21. 89/021/WFP/002/A WFP Prepositioning and distribution US$ 140,000 Earmarked Approved Food Aid-Kunar of food aid in Kunar ProvinceACKU

22. 89/022/FA0/003/A FAO Assist farmers in the Kardahar area 1. 1.89 to Funds to be Unearmarked Approved Orchard rehabilitation to rebuild the base for fruit to 30.4.89. transferred production through the provision of US$ 200,000 fruit trees. Provision of poplars in Afghanistan

• Pakistan Red Crescent Society PIPE-LINE PROJECTS

Project Number & Title Agency Objectives Duration/cost Corrments Source of Status Fundin

1. 88/UNDP-MADERA/001/A Ut4DP- Provide multi-sectoral assistance 1 year Related to 88/MADERA/002/A To be financed Waygal Parun MADERA and training FF 939,000 through NGO Agro-pastoral ·Kunar provi nee US$ support unit

2. 88/UNDP-MADERA/002/A UNDP- Provide multi-sectoral assistance 1 year Related to 88/MAOERA/001/A To be financed Almgar MADERA and training FF 252,000 through NGO Agro-pastoral Laghman province US$ support unit

3. 89/FA0/004/A FAO Purchase of oxen and tractors 1 year FAO project proposal Unearmarked w Provision of awaited U1 to be delivered in 1989 US$ 1,200,000 draught animals and tractors ACKU 2. Planning and Administration

Three projects presented by UNDP, have been reviewed by the Co-ordinator's office which has allocated an initial amount of US$1, 155,000 from unearmarked funds. The total financial requirements for the year 1989 amount to US$3,830,000 divided as follows:

A planning and co-ordination unit US$1,262,000

An NGO support unit US$1,475,000

An agricultural survey and extension project US$1,093,000

The duration of these projects will be at least two years with co-financing from UNDP and other United Nations agencies of US$2,280,000.

The Planning and Co-ordination Unit will have its headquarters in Peshawar with a sub-office in Quetta. The aim of the Unit will be to:

(a) establish a comprehensive data-base covering socio-economic data and information on the status of ongoing and planned programmes and projects;

(b) prepare integrated area development plans covering selected districts, provinces and regions of Afghanistan;

(c) train Afghan planners and personnel of local councils in integrated district planning,ACKU and

(d) provide technical advice to NGOs on planning-related subjects.

The NGO Support Unit will place at the disposal of NGOs a pool of technical specialists to assist in the identification and formulation of projects, provide answers to specific technical questions, give guidance in report writing, monitoring and evaluation and assist in follow-up. Training in different fields of activity will be provided both to Afghans and NGO staff. The project will also have, at its disposal, funds to be channelled to

- 36 - NGOs for the execution of projects as well as to strengthen the co-ordinating role of ACBAR and SWABAC.

An earlier phase of the Agricultural Survey and Extension Project has systematically documented damage to Afghan agriculture and constitutes the most comprehensive survey of agriculture ever carried out in Afghanistan. The key functions next to be performed through the project will include the annual updating of the data-base through the collection of information concerning crops and yields, seeds, farm family demography and the use of agro-chemicals for small farmers. The project will also include small pilot activities related to the delivery of limited farm inputs to approximately 4,000 families in all provinces of the country and provide related extension advice. Information collected and reports on lessons learned will be disseminated through ACBAR, SWABAC and the Co-ordinator's office in Islamabad.

3. Agriculture and rural development

The approach to providing assistance for the rehabilitation of Afghanistan's agriculture sector is based on two assumptions:

( 1) The rehabilitation effort is basically a restoration of Afghanistan's proven productive capacity in agriculture. Thus the initial requirements are physical inputs to the agricultural sector roughly in proportion to the number of displaced persons returning to their lands. Simply stated, the basic problem is logistic and managerial, not one of inadequate resource and potential.

(2) Both the quantity and quality of inputs required for rehabilitation with the exception of fertilizerACKU which can be supplied from within the region, particularly from Pakistan. Even fertilizer requirements above those already available in Afghanistan from Soviet sources could be supplemented from Pakistan by prepositioning fertilizer for onward transport to Afghanistan. Although the agricultural input requirements for Afghanistan are of a sizeable magnitude, Pakistan's agricultural sector can, with few possible exceptions, provide the necessary resources for the coming months. Accordingly, FAO has put together a management

- 37 - support team of one expatriate assisted by a number of Pakistan and Afghan consultants to identify and determine supply capacity in Pakistan for three broad areas: crops, livestock and training for farmers and extension workers.

Emergency agricultural assistance has been provided, in co-operation with UNHCR, FAO and some ten NGOs, to Afghan farmers through four projects totalling US$3,175,000 of which US$1,283,000 has been drawn from the Co-ordinator's unearmarked funds. These projects focus on the provision to farmers of seeds, fertilizers and related agricultural inputs to increase wheat production and improve the food supply in rural areas. Material for the rehabilitation of irrigation systems has also been provided.

A further distribution of seeds will be necessary both for the March and October 1989 planting seasons. The minimum requirements are estimated at 5, 000 tons of seeds amounting to US$2, 500,000 and some US$450, 000 for the production and purchase of 1,000 tons of high altitude wheat seeds to be distributed in March 1989. Oxen, tractors, fruit trees and poplars should also be provided and the cost of an initial distribution of these in 13 provinces is estimated at US$1,400,000.

A manpower survey is being conducted by FAO in refugee villages to identify Afghans for training in wheat production, livestock/veterinary services, orchard rehabilitation and agricultural credit/banking. FAO has also prepared 13 project proposals for the wider rehabilitation of Afghan agriculture at an estimated total cost of over US$7 5, 000,000. All these projects can be implemented when the security situation permits. Their components range from the rehabilitationACKU of seed farms and fruit orchards, the improvement of veterinary services and forest management to rural development in specific geographic areas such as Badakhshan province or the Panjshir valley.

Rural development

UNDP has finalized detailed proposals for two rural works projects, one based in Peshawar, the other in Quetta. The funds required in 1989 for the implementation of these projects will amount to US$2,825,000. The

- 38 - Co-ordinator 1 s office has transferred to UNDP f o r t hes e projects an initial contribution of US$800,000 from unearmarked funds . Bo t h p roj e cts are likely to benefit from substantial Eu ropean Community support.

During the coming two ye a rs , these projects will provide t echnical and financial assist ance to s ome ten NGO s in expand i ng their support to villagers i n Afgha nistan. Through t he provision of proper engineering designs, t e chnical supervi s i on, appropriate machi nery, tools and construction mate r i a l, the quality and efficiency of rural works should be greatly improved. Training programmes will also be carried out to strengthen the capacity of both NGO personnel and local Afghans in building and construction.

Direct support activities will result in the rehabilitation of at least 100 karezes, 25 irrigation canal systems and 110 km of rural roads in nine different provinces in Afghanistan.

4. Health and Sanitation

UNICEF has continued to provide assistance to Afghan children, in various parts of Afghanistan from Kabul, and among the refugees in Pakistan and Iran. The focus has been mainly the expanded programme of immunization against

infectious diseases. UNICEF 1 s approach was described by the recent United Nations assessment mission to Herat in Afghanistan as viable and effective i n reaching the needy. In 1987 UNICEF started working with selected NGOs, based in Peshawar and Quetta, to carry out immunization activities inside Afghanistan where basic health care services are not available. In 1989, UNICEF plans to increase the number of NGOs as partners in extending immunization and MCH services inside Afghanistan. The scale of the programme will depend on the availabilityACKU of funds.

UNICEF has already obligated US$3 million for its programme. To maintain its momentum UNICEF has, in addition, advanced US$7 50,000 from its general resources and this needs to be replenished. An additional US$7 million is needed to maintain the current level of operations until July 1989 and towards this the Co-ordinator's office has already transferred US$1,000,000 from unearmarked and some US$2,361,450 from earmarked funds.

- 39 - The objective of the programme is to enhance prospects of child survival in Afghanistan, through supporting all potential partners and by collaboration with local people and community leaders, religious authorities and voluntary organizations. The main thrust continues to be the immunization programme supplemented by the control of diarrhoeal diseases, strengthening of primary health care, nutrition, water and environmental sanitation and health education.

UNICEF' s strategy is to develop the ability of implementing partners to provide immunization and other basic health services to all Afghan children wherever they are and from wherever they can be reached. UNICEF will increase its supply of vaccines, cold chain equipment, oral rehydration solution packets, essential drugs, and mother and child health kits.

A social communication component aimed at improving attitudes to child care will be integrated in all project activities. UNICEF will strengthen the capacity of its partners to use modern communications and information techniques and assist efforts to collect information on the health and nutritional status of children and women. UNICEF will also support research and evaluation aimed at determining the efficiency and effectiveness of the overall effort.

For 1989, WHO has submitted to the Office of the Co-ordinator a proposal for resource allocation for the management of the following priority health sector projects:

procurement and prepositioning of medical suppplies and equipment. health manpower development rehabilitation ofACKU the disabled survey and assessment of needs field management support

Funds required for the implementation of the programme amount to over US$20,000,000 of which at least US$12,000,000 are required for the procurement of medical kits for cross border operations or prepositioning prior to the return of refugees.

- 40 - Another important component of the programme is health manpower development. The conduct of training programmes, establishment of training centres, purchase of equipment, preparation/revision of training manuals and the development of training guidelines is initially estimated at US$1,200,000.

WHO is undertaking interagency consultations in Pakistan. A number of programme proposals from NGOs for the establishment/strengthening of health facilities, prepositioning of supplies and training programmes have been received and are being studied prior to forwarding to the Co-ordinator and WHO headquarters for approval. These projects cover the needs identified by the Salam 3 and Salam 5 missions, in the last of which WHO was represented. Projects for assistance to the disabled in Afghanistan are also being reviewed. An initial financial contribution amounting to US$2,359,000 has been provided by the Co-ordinator's office from unearmarked funds. An additional amount of US$586, 322 from earmarked funds has been transferred to WHO.

5. Assistance to Disabled Afghans

During the period under review, the composition of the Committee on Assistance to Disabled Afghans ( CADA) was enlarged to include the International Initiative Against Avoidable Disablement (IMPACT), ACBAR and SWABAC.

The Committee adopted a new classification of impairment identifying those types which are particularly relevant to the Afghan situation. With the Co-ordinator's financial support, the Committee is now assessing in the region the action required to meet the situation, the resources available and the order of priority ACKUin meeting needs. Results will be forthcoming in " early 1989.

The visit to Pakistan of the Chairman of CADA, Mr. H. Hoegh, confirmed that disabled Afghans present a major and increasing problem, and that only a small number of organizations is focusing attention on this group. Operational activities are already being reinforced, in co-operation with WHO, through the provision of expertise and financial participation in the implementation of NGO projects.

- 41 - 6. Education and Training

In Pakistan, UNHCR continues to support the educational programme for refugees executed largely through Pakistan's Commission on Afghan Refugees using curricula and text books developed by the Government of Pakistan. At the same time a large network of religious schools exists throughout the refugee camps. UNHCR and UNICEF are jointly involved in compiling an inventory of skills available in the refugee camps to restore the education system when the refugees return to Afghanistan.

Also reporting from Pakistan, the University of Nebraska at Omaha assists primary schools inside Afghanistan with a budget of US$46 million for 1988. Assistance covers salaries of teachers and textbooks. These textbooks are devel6ped by the Education Council of the Seven Party Alliance and a total af 360,000 copies have been printed. The Afghanistan Education Comittee under the auspice of the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan is providing financial assistance to 358 schools. UNICEF has recently joined this assistance programme. Assistance covers salaries of teachers and textbooks. Furthermore, a total of about 20 NGOs support primary education in various forms.

Other developments during the update period are as follows:

(a) UNICEF has carried out a survey on NGO activities in primary education in Afghanistan and Pakistan;

(b) ILO is conducting a vocational training programme for refugees in Baluchistan funded by UNHCR. The anticipated return of the Afghan refugees has resulted ACKUin the reorientation of the programme so as to provide skills that refugees would be able to use on their return to Afghanistan (carpentry, building construction etc.) A total of 1,130 refugees have received training by the end of 1988. A new and expanded proposal is under preparation;

- 42 - (c) UNESCO has despatched an education consultant attached to the Co-ordinator's office in Islamabad for six months starting in January 1989 with a view to establishing a more comprehensive education programme in close co-operation with other concerned agencies;

(d) UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women) conducted a preliminary needs assessment study in August 1988 on practical ways to involve women in relief and rehabilitation efforts. The study identifies the various roles of women in the economy and society before 197 8 and changes that have occurred as a result of the events of recent years.

7. Food Aid

The food aid programme for Afghan refugees in Pakistan and through Pakistan into Afghanistan in 1989 may require 600,000 mt of wheat and approximately 50,000 mt of other food items. It is estimated that, should 50% of the refugees return from Pakistan to Afghanistan in 1989, approximately 350,000 mt of wheat and 39,000 mt of other food commodities will have to be transported into Afghanistan and distributed.

This scale of operation is expected to last at least through most of 1990 depending on the timing of refugee return. The effectiveness of repatriation and rehabilitation strategies will also determine future needs.

Food aid utilization can be divided into four parts:

(a) The present refugee programme in Afghanistan: this ensures the continued supply of food aid to Afghan refugees. WFP will continue its present role as a donor to ACKUthe refugee programme and as the channel for bilateral donations for refugee support. The refugee programme has an average annual distribution rate of 482,000 mt of wheat and over 30,000 mt of other commodities a year. The internal costs of logistics in Pakistan of this programme are borne by the GOP.

- 43 - (b) The repatriation programme. WFP is working together with UNHCR, and the Co-ordinator's office to determine the role for food assistance in a repatriation plan. Current options vary from organized and assisted return, spontaneous unassisted return, assistance delivered in Afghanistan, and the Marketplace option. The provision of food assistance for refugees on their return journey and to sustain them upon their return is one of the options. It is widely accepted that there will not be sufficient food supplies in Afghanistan to support any large scale return of refugees.

At present planned levels, the food requirements for repatriation represents by far the largest volume of all material to be moved into Afghanistan and the cost of its transport will consume a major part of the available cash resources.

No additional food supplies beyond that expected to be pledged for the refugee programme in Pakistan are required for the repatriation programme. The same technique will be used to feed the refugees whether they are in Pakistan or have returned to Afghanistan. Food requirement will decrease in Pakistan as refugees return but overall requirements will only fall as the returnees are subsequently able to support themselves in Afghanistan.

The refugees and repatriation programmes can only be supported with significant additional food pledges - to those required for the ongoing refugee progrmame - if a plan can be devised for refugee ration cards in Pakistan to be retrieved as refugees return to Afghanistan. This will indicate the numbers of returning refugees and will avoid the double issuing of rations to ACKUthe same families on both sides of the border.

(c) Support to the internally displaced and vulnerable groups in Afghanistan. This programme will provide humanitarian support programmes to the internally displaced and to vulnerable groups wherever they may be located. Implementation will be through the civil infrastructure, voluntary agencies and United Nations organizations. The number of beneficiaries under this programme has been estimated at 750,000 in 1989 which will require the delivery to Afghanistan of 41,000 mt of wheat, 11,000 mt of edible oil and 884 mt of dried skimmed milk.

- 44 - (d) Food for work for rehabilitation in Afghanistan. Food for work activities are planned for the rehabilitation of community infrastructures and of farms and houses. Food for work schemes will also initially provide a minimum level of support to the able-bodied who are otherwise unable to support themselves at the same time as achieving rehabilitation objectives. The demand for food for work will be an indicator of lack of alternative means of livelihood. Food for work activities, estimated for 500,000 beneficiaries (100,000 workers) in 1989, will be channelled through local institutions, voluntary agencies and United Nations organizations. It is estimated that such activities will require 91,250 mt of wheat, 5,475 mt of edible oil, 2,737 mt of sugar, 547 mt of tea and 3,650 mt of dried skimmed milk.

8. VNILOG

It is anticipated that more than 700,000 mt of food and other relief and rehabilitation items will be transported to Afghanistan from neighbouring countries during the repatriation and rehabilitation programme. To ensure a co-ordinated supply of the massive tonnage of food and other relief commodities and to rationalize the use of port and transit facilities, WFP and UNHCR are in close co-operation with the Co-ordinator's office organizing a unified logistic operation called UNILOG to meet all the logistical requirements of all United Nations system agencies, donor government agencies and NGOs engaged in providing assistanc~ to Afghanistan.

The objectives, functions and modus operandi of UNILOG have been discussed in the First Consolidated Report. Since the report was issued the UNILOG management office has been established in Islamabad and a small core professional staff is alreadyACKU in place. Plans are currently pursued for the establishment of UNILOG operational logistics bases initially in Peshawar, Quetta/Chaman and Karachi. Negotiations with Pakistan Railways for the allocation of a plot of land at Pir Piai, some 32 km from Peshawar, are under way. Meanwhile UNILOG has already in-country storage tents ( 500 mt storage capacity each) to attend to any immediate need of storage. Initial operational bases inside Afghanistan will also probably be established at appropriate locations in the eastern and southern parts of the country.

- 45 - The road transport operation UNILOG, while depending mainly on existing commercial facilities, will operate its own fleet of some 150 trucks and trailers. The rationale behind the UNILOG fleet is to provide flexibility and to contain commercial transport costs. The direct management of this fleet ensures that trucks will be immediately available for critical needs.

Negotiations are underway with the Government of Japan for the provision of long-haul and 4X4 short-haul trucks. The Government of Italy has also . indicated a strong interest in responding to the Co-ordinator's requirements in this area.

UNILOG's role is to deliver relief/rehabilitation commodities as near as is feasible by truck to local distribution centres. UNILOG will not participate in the identification of affected population or regions, or in the final distribution. These are the tasks of the different organizations operating in Afghanistan in collaboration with the local authorities and the Co-ordinator.

9. Preparations for the voluntary repatriation of refugees

During the reporting period since the First Consolidated Report was issued, UNHCR has continued to plan and prepare for the voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees. The timing and scope of voluntary repatriation from Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran to Afghanistan cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty at this time. It is, however, still possible that limited movements could occur during the first months of 1989 and that much larger groups could decide to leave immediately after winter.

Following are highlightsACKU of UNHCR current activities concerning the Afghan Repatriation Programme covering the period from August 1988 to the • present.

Prepositioning of items in Pakistan for future use in the programme has continued involving 30,000 tents, 25,000 tarpaulins, 150,000 quilts, light vehicles, agricultural tools, corrugated iron sheets, collapsable warehouses, containers for storage/administrative use, etc. Discussions are ongoing to update quantities/specifications of items in view of

- 46 - advanced planning, thanks to surveys which have yielded considerable information on all aspects of the programme from all concerned sources. In this respect, the draft of the second report produced by the Data Collection Team in the North West Frontier Province is now being analyzed by the office of the Chief of Mission in Pakistan and will be finalized in the coming period.

Efforts to strengthen the monitoring and administrative capacity in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran continue with the hiring and placement of staff, manning of field outposts, etc. In this respect, all of the eleven field outposts initially planned along the Pakistan-Afghan border have now been established and are in operation. These field outposts, four in the North West Frontier Province, six in Baluchistan and one in the Punjab, will also allow for the fulfilment of UNHCR' s protection mandate.

Technical missions for the despatch and installation of high frequency and very high frequency equipment as well as computer facilities have continued during the period in Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan to ensure that all main logistical points, field outposts etc. are fully serviced and linked.

Numerous seminars on Protection issues are planned to be held in Pakistan and Iran in the near future. These seminars will cover all aspects of repatriation relating to general principles as well as to some of the particulars of the Afghan situation and will allow for better preparation/co-operation between UNHCR staff, staff of other United Nations agencies, NGOs, governments and refugee leaders, for ensuring that the guaranteesACKU relating to the voluntary and individual character of repatriation are respected.

Efforts are continuing in co-operation with ILO on other measures of preparing for the eventual repatriation of the Afghan refugees with special emphasis on vocational training in skills likely to be urgently needed upon repatriation such as housing reconstruction, blacksmith, tool machine repair, manufacture, basic health workers, etc. As well as

- 47 - intensified efforts to ensure that as large a percentage as possible of the refugees are vaccinated against contagious diseases prior to their return, with a particular emphasis on the most vulnerable groups, i.e. pregnant mothers and children under five years.

In addition to the working out of technical arrangments with WFP for the setting up of UNILOG (see para. 7 above), the UNHCR staff in the region have been . in close contact with the Co-ordinator's office and the other United Nations system agencies concerned. UNHCR has assisted the Co-ordinator in . the organization and implementation of the Salam interagency needs assessment missions inside Afghanistan (see Chapter III above).

A total of US$22. 2 · millj,on has so far been pledged to UNHCR for the voluntary repatriation programme. Of the amoun-ts received (US$16.7 million) some US$11.5 million have already been obligated.

ACKU •

- 48 - 10. Other programmes

(a) UNRISD

• Earlier this year the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNSRID) published the results of a large-scale survey of the socio-economic condition of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Items surveyed included: geographical origin of the households, family composition, household income, employment, earnings, patterns of expenditure, skills, training perceptions of parents for their sons and daughters, relationships between the refugees and the local population. The findings of the survey were of direct relevance to those currently planning for the future rehabilitation of Afghanistan, particularly in regards to, for example, educational facili tes and programmes, vocational training schemes as well as income and employment generating projects. UNRISD remains interested in and available for possible future research that might be required in connection with the future return of refugees to Afghanistan and the rehabilitation and reconstruction of their areas of origin.

(b) ICM survey on the potential return of qualified Afghans

Background

Based on its experience with return programmes of highly qualified persons to Latin America and Africa and its contact with the expatriate Afghan community through the development of the Afghan Medical Programme, the Intergovernmental Committee for Migration believes that there are a number of Afghan professionals and technicians residing in industrialized countries, as well as in India and ACKUPakistan, who might in due course wish to return to Afghanistan to contribute to the reconstruction of their country. In light of these considerations, ICM has developed a survey to assess:

the interest of qualified Afghan nationals in returning permanently or temporarily to Afghanistan;

- 49 - expectations about permanent job placement and/or income generating opportunities in Afghanistan; and

interest in short-term employment in relief and rehabilitation projects.

This survey will provide information on the expatriate community - who they are and where they are located, their professional and occupational levels, etc. Additionally, the survey will establish a roster of candidates potentially interested in returning to Afghanistan; facilitate a dialogue with the expatriate community on issues such as conditions for return and serve as a resource for international entities seeking specialized personnel.

ICM has also developed a draft project outline for the "Return and Reintegration of Qualified Afghan Nationals", which aims at assisting qualified Afghans with professional experience, identified through the survey in their return to Afghanistan.

At the same time, ICM does not exclude that interested Afghans identified through the survey could be referred to international organizations in need of specialized personnel to work in projects in or outside of Afghanistan involved with the reconstruction of the country. In a recent development, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has requested ICM' s assistance to implement a pilot project for the return to Pakistan of up to 20 Afghan medical doctors currently residing. in the Federal Republic of Germany.

The ICM survey has started in eight countries: Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States the Federal Republic of Germany. Initial results are expected in early 1989, although the survey process will be ongoingACKU and will progress at a different rate in different countries.

A similar survey will be initiated in India where an estimated 50,000 Afghans are situated. It is expected that as many as 1, 500 highly educated and experienced Afghans may respond and express a willingness to return to Afghanistan. It is further envisaged to expand the survey to Afghan communities in Pakistan, where several groups have already expressed an interest in responding.

- 50 - Initial reactions to the survey from the expatriate Afghan community have been generally positive, ranging from enthusiastic to somewhat sceptical. Generally speaking, the questionnaire has been perceived as an important tool for the future development of Afghanistan. A certain degree of caution,

• however, has been expressed by some Afghan communities in the countries where the survey is underway. This cautious attitude appears to be based on the uncertainties of the present situation in Afghanistan •

ACKU •

- 51 - V. DEMINING

Following a multinational assessment effort by teams from France, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, the Office of the Co-ordinator has started in February 1989 to implement training and information programmes on mine clearance initially in Pakistan for which a first amount of US$575,000 has been allocated. The total requirement for the coming months is estimated at US$3,000,000.

Early in January 1989, an agreement between the Pakistani Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the Office of the Co-ordinator was signed. The PRCS will provide the support staff, accommodation and logistic support for the foreign teams, as well as assist in the mass public education and information campaigns and the first aid and emergency care components of the programme.

Based on the reports of the assessment teams, the programme covers the following activities:

(a) Mass public education and information campaigns in mine recognition and avoidance for Afghan refugees

(b) The training of carefully selected Afghans to dispose of mines and other unexploded ordnance

(c) First aid and emergency care training as well as an assessment of medical structures and procedures for victims of mines

( d ) A d a t a base including information on devices, implantation t e chniq ue s a nd disposalACKU procedures as well as on access roads and s e c u r i ty conditions in Afghanistan •

The e ssent ial e leme nt of the mass public education and information campaign is s i mple training at two leve ls for both adults a nd children. Female i nstructors will be u sed to r each Afgha n wome n . The campai gn will provide information by using posters, radio bro adcast s, v i deo films and plastic models of mines and other ordnance. In line with the recommendati ons

•

- 52 - made by the assessment missions a standardized training course has been designed. Posters illustrating different types of mines and the danger they represent are being printed locally for distribution in refugee centres and eventually inside Afghanistan. Video and radio programmes are also being developed. Local male and female medical instructors are in the process of • being selected for the first aid component in the campaign.

Training in the clearance of mines and other ordnance will be based on the expectation that the actual clearance work will be carried out by the Afghan people themselves. A selected group of Afghan volunteers, will receive training from teams from different countries under the auspices of the Office of the Co-ordinator for Humanitarian and Economic Assistance Programmes relating to Afghanistan. Afghan instructors will, in turn, provide training to other Afghan ordnance clearance personnel. In consultation with experts from different countries a standardized syllabus for the Afghan instructors' training course is being established. Some 500 candidates for the instructors' course have been proposed by the Afghans themselves from which some 300 will, upon approval by the Co-ordinator, attend the first round of training courses.

In co-operation with WHO a first aid component has been incorporated in the training syllabus and in the mass public education and information campaign for which local male and female medical instructors are in the process of being selected. In addition, US$350,000 has been earmarked for the assistance and rehabilitation of disabled Afghans.

The purpose of the two-week mine-clearance training courses is to contain damage by underlining the dangers of anti-personnel mines (APM) and action to be taken to destroy APM, ACKUas well as the treatment of wounds provoked by APM • • Of the 300 Afghan instructors to be trained during the first batch of courses in February 1989, 270 will work as ordnance clearance personnel while the remainder will become trainers. The initial duration of the programme is four months, renewable according to the rotation period of foreign teams. The output foreseen will be the training of some 2, 400 Afghan instructors, of

which 10~ will become trainers. These could be assisted by a foreign

- 53 - monitoring team who would assess their activities. Ordnance clearance personnel will be provided with kits containing light material for mine clearance. Priority should be given to the clearance of access roads, habitat and agricultural land.

The initial elements of the multilateral training teams have arrived in Pakistan at the end of January 1989. These include 11 teams of trainers as well as support staff from France, Turkey and the United States. It is foreseen that teams will be working initially in the Peshawar area (North West Frontier) and thereafter in the Quetta area (Baluchistan).

The status of all members of foreign contingents is to be assimilated to UN experts in terms of their security and protection by the host country. They are, in principle, covered by the legal stipulations of the overall agreement between the UN and the Government of Pakistan. Foreign trainers' accommodation and related facilities will be covered under the project financed by the Co-ordinator and implemented by the PRCS. In addition, the UN will finance the payment of the standard per diem to each foreign individual, in accordance with the existing UN regulation and practice.

Since this programme is conceived in a purely humanitarian and non-military context and is distinct from the usual peace-keeping operations of the UN, it is proposed that the trainers will not be in normal full military uniform but in semi-military attire suitable to each team for work purposes. Each individual will wear an armband of UN-Operation Salam as well as a name tag and he/she mayACKU also wear a national identification badge. •

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