Voluntary Repatriation of Afghan Refugees South West Asia - Quarterly Update July-September 2020

RETURNS PROCESSED AT ENCASHMENT CENTERS IN 298 from 625 from Iran 888 from 1,265 from Pakistan Returns from 575 Returns in 2020 591 July- Sept 2020* 15 from other countries 49 from other countries

Since 2002, nearly 5.3 million Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan under UNHCR’s facilitated Voluntary Repatriation programme. At Encashment Centres (EC’s) in Afghanistan, returning refugees receive a cash grant of approximately USD 250 per individual, as well as a range of services to support their reintegration. Facilitated returns from Pakistan resumed on 17 August after a period of suspension due to Covid-19. Among the 630 persons processed for return in Iran 5 did not present themselves to collect the cash grant. 35% of registered returnees interviewed at EC’s in 2020 report that their children did not attend school in the country of asylum, 65% reported attendance. 73% of those interviewed noted that they sourced information regarding the situation in their place of origin from the Afghan community in their country of asylum, 11% from a visit to Afghanistan, 10% from the radio, 3% from UNHCR and 2% from TV. RETURNEE DEMOGRAPHICS ASSISTANCE AT ENCASHMENT (July-Sept 2020) CENTERS (ECs) IN AFGHANISTAN

was provided in cash Male Female USD $234,393 assistance to returnees at ECs in Q3 of 2020. 9% 0-5 8% A total of $312,955 was provided in 2020 so far.

16% 6-17 17% In addition to cash grants, a range of inter-agency services are provided for returning refugees, including 26% 18-59 24% basic health and malnutrition screening and vaccination, mine risk awareness, information on school enrolment, 0% 60+ 0% and overnight accommodation, if needed.

TOP 10 PROVINCE OF DESTINATION (Figures reflect returns processed at encashment centers in Afghanistan)

Sakhi Camp & Shash Pool Sher Khan Qalin Bafan Qashqa Bandar

3000 Noor Abad NORTHERN 298 returns from Iran PakistanTakhar 2500 19 July-Sept 2020 Jawzjan Kunduz Iran Badakhshan 2000 Balkh 39 72 Covid-19NORTH period EASTERN ! 62 ! Laghmani Faryab 1500 2% ! Aka Khail Area !Samangan 44 ! Sar-e-Pul 3 BaghlanPanjsher Qala-e-Nasro & Bini Warsak 1000 ! 244 36 ! Nuristan Ustad Jebrial 500 ! Bamyan ParwanKapisa Kunar Kahdistan Badghis 25 !9 !8Laghman! 9 0 Aziz Khan Kas Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan2 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep !Oct NovMaidanDec Jan FebWardakMar Apr May Jun Jul Aug EASTERNSep Hirat ! ! 155 Charbagh 2018 2019 1 2020 !Nangarhar Logar Daman 18 ! Ghor 2 CAPITAL !9 Ghaziabad Paktya Majboorabad ! Tarakhail Daag WESTERN !! 9 Shekh Mesri CENTRAL HIGHLAND ! Khost Daykundi SOUTH EASTERN 5 Ghazni Farah returns from Pakistan UruzganZabul 10 575 2000000 33 ! Paktika July - Sept 2020 Priority Areas of Return and 1500000 SOUTHERN Reintegration Locations ! ! Loya Wala ! Mirwais Mina 1000000 Nimroz Afghan Returnees by 1 Hilmand ! Province of destination 51 22 500000

0 The data'02 has not'03 been '04independently'05 '06verified '07and is subject'08 to'09 error or'10 omission,'11 deliberation'12 '13 or otherwise'14 '15by the various'16 sources.'17 '18 '19 '20 Arrows reflected in the map do not reflect the routes but only indicate return movement. * The number of refugees processed for return in Pakistan and Iran may sometimes be higher than those processed at encashment centers in Afghanistan. This is due to the presence of recycled cases applying for voluntary repatriation a second time and also presons not presenting to collect the cash grant in Afghanistan. 10% 17% reasons for leaving Pak&IRN

reasons for not returning to PoO 10% 17% reasons for leaving Pak&IRN 15.6% reasons for not returning to PoO Place of return is same as place of origin 68% High costs of living/ high rent 36% 15.6% To re-unite with relatives 12% No employmentPlace opportunities9.1% of return is same 32% 30% as place of origin 68% High costs of living/ high rent 36% Fear of COVID-199.1% 8% Lack of income opportunities 10% To re-unite with relatives 12% 30% No employment opportunities9.1% 32% Denial of access to services 5% Fear of COVID-199.1% Perceived insecurity 4% 7% Lack of income opportunities 10% 8% Denied access to school and health facilities 5% Denial of access to services 5% 7% 4% 7% Lack of housing/shelter 3% Fear of arrest and/orPerceived deportation insecurity4% Denied access to school and health7% facilities 5% Uncertainty related to the PoR Cards extension 2% Fear of arrest and/or deportation 4% 3% Lack of housing/shelter 3% Other Uncertainty related to the PoR Cards extension 2% OtherOther 7%3% 10% 17% 10% 17% reasons forreasons leaving for Pak&IRN leaving Pak&IRN Other 7% 10% 17% reasonsreasons for leaving for not Pak&IRN returning to PoO Source: Encashment center monitoring data REASONSreasons for ANDnot returning INTENTIONS to PoO RELATED TO RETURN Timeframe: Findings for January to October 2020 plan to spend cash reasons for not returning to PoO Reasons for returns to Afg 15.6% 15.6% Reasons for returns to Afg plan to spend cash Reasons for leaving PakistanPlace of andreturn Iran is same Upon return, how do you plan to spend the cash grant? as placeMale of origin Female 68% High costs of living/ high rent 36% Place15.6% of return is same 7% 7% as place of originTo re-unite with relatives 68%12% High30% costs of living/No employment high rent opportunities9.1% 9.1% 36% 32% Place of return is same 12% No employment opportunitiesFearUNHCR of COVID-19 assistance package8% 32% 26% 32% as place of origin 68% To re-unite Highwith UNHCR relativescostsLack of assistance living/of income high9% opportunitiespackage rent 0-5 10%8%26% 30%36%32% 9.1% Paying transportation cost 39% Paying transportationFearDenial of COVID-19 of accesscost9.1% to services8% 5% 39% 10% 4% Reunion with family/relatives in Afghanistan 16% 26% Buy food and other commodities 33% To re-unite with relatives 12% Lack Reunionof income withNo opportunities family/relativesemployment opportunities9.1%Perceived in Afghanistan insecurity 16% 26%32% Denied access7% to school and health facilities 5% 33% 30% 9.1% Buy foodDenial and of otherLand access allocation commodities to services scheme7% and/or5% shelter program 20% 11% FearLack4% of ofCOVID-19 housing/shelter 8%3% Fear of arrest and/or deportation 4% Rent accommodation Lack of income opportunities 10% Land allocationPerceived scheme insecurity and/or16% shelter program6-17 20% Denied access7% to schoolRent and accommodation health facilitiesEmployment5% 11% opportunities Denial of access to services 5% 17% Uncertainty related 7%to the PoR Cards extension 2% 14% Investment in livelihoods 10% Employment3% opportunitiesOther 3% 14% Fear of arrest and/orImprovement deportation in health and4% education facilities 3% Perceived insecurity 4% DeniedLack access7% of housing/shelter to school and health facilities 5% Investment in livelihoods Other10% 7% Payback loans 3% Uncertainty related to the PoR Cards extension 2% Improvement in health and education7% facilities 3% Payback loansImproved3% weather conditions 2% Build shelter Lack of housing/shelter 3% Fear26 of %arrestOther and/or3% deportation 18-594% 24% for agriculture activities 2% Improved weather conditions 2% Other 7% 1% Uncertainty related to the PoR for agricultureCards extension activities2% ToBuild obtain shelter a passport2% /visa to return to COA Other 3% Other 3% Other 2% To obtain a passport /visa toReasons returnOther to COAfor returns1%7% to Afg planOther to spend3% cash 0%Other60+2% 0% 19.3% Reasons for returns to Afg 7% plan to spend cash Reasons for return to Afghanistan (pull factors) After you spend your cash grant, how will you support 19.3% Reasons for returns to Afg plan to spendUNHCR cash assistance package 26% 32% your family? Paying transportation cost 39% Reunion7% with family/relatives in Afghanistan 16% 26% Buy food and other commodities 33% Land allocation scheme and/or shelter program 20% Borrow from11% relatives to start 7% UNHCR assistance package 26% 32% Rent accommodationup a small business 12% Rental Employment opportunities 14% Paying transportationInvestment cost in livelihoods 10% 39% house Reunion with family/relatives in Afghanistan 26% UNHCR assistance package 26% 32% ImprovementBorrow in fromhealth relatives and education to start facilities16% 3% Buy food and other commodities 33% 39%% Paying transportation cost 39% Payback loans 3% Rely on extended family Land allocation scheme and/or shelterup a small programImproved business weather 12% conditions20% 11%Rental Reunion with family/relatives in Afghanistan 16% 26% 2%33% Rent accommodation Build shelter 2% wage 11% Buy food and other commodities for agriculture activities house Rental Own Land allocation scheme and/or shelter program EmploymentTo obtain opportunities a passport /visa to return14% to COA 1% Investment in livelihoods Other10% 3% 20% Rent accommodation 11% 39%% Begging 1% house house Improvement in health and education facilitiesRely on3% extended Otherfamily 2% 3% 26% 20% Employment opportunities 14% Investment in livelihoods 10% Payback loans 3000 Improved weather conditionswage 11% Other 3% Improvement in health and education facilities 3% 2% BuildRental shelter Own2% for agriculturePayback loansactivities3% Rely on daily Pakistan Will join army 19.3% Improved weather conditions To obtain a passport /visa to return to COA 1% houseOther house3% or police 1% 2% Build shelter 2%Begging 1% wage 75% for agriculture activities 2500 Other 2% 26% 20% Relatives house 53% To obtain a passport /visa to return to COA 1% Other 3%10% 17% reasons forIran leavingOther 3% Pak&IRN Other 2% Will join army 2000Rely on daily or policeBorrow 1% from relatives to start Covid-19 period 19.3% Reasons forwage notreasons 75% returning for to not Province returning of Origin to PoO Rental up a small business 12% 19.3%What will beRelatives your livinghouse 53%arrangements after return? 1500 2% house 15.6% 39%% Rely on extended family Place of return is same wage 11% 1000 as place of origin 68% High costsRental of living/Own high rent 36% Borrow from relatives to start house To re-uniteup a smallwith relatives business 12%12% Begging 1% No employment opportunities9.1%Rental house 32% 30% 26% house20% 7% PAKISTAN IRAN Borrow from relatives to start 500 Fear of COVID-199.1% 8% 15.6% up a small business 12% Lack of income opportunities Rental10% 39%% Other 3% RelyRely on daily on extended house familyWill join army Denial of access to services 5% 0 Perceivedwage insecurity 75% 4%39%% or police 1% Denied access7% to school and health facilities 5% Apr May Jun Jul Aug wageSep Oct 11%Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May7%Jun Jul Aug Sep Rely on extended family 3% RentalFear of arrestRelativesOwn and/or house deportation 53% 4% 2018Lack of housing/shelter 2019 2020 wage 11% Begging 1% Uncertainty relatedhouse to the house PoR Cards extension 2% Rental OwnOther 3% 7% PAKISTAN IRAN 26% 20% 3% 15.6% Other 7% Begging 1% house house Other 3% 26% 20% Rely on daily Will join army or police 1% Other 3% High costs of living/rent 52% Will join army wage 75% UNHCR assistance package 32% Rely on daily Relatives house 53% wage 75% or police 1% Reasons for returns to Afg Land allocationplan scheme/to spend sheter cashprogram 24% Denied access to school and health facilities 33% REGISTEREDRelatives VOLUNTARY house 53% REPATRIATION3% TO AFGHANISTANReunion with 2002-2020 family in Afghanistan 22% Male Female Discrimination by local community 7% 7% 7% PAKISTAN15.6% IRAN Employment opportunities 11% 2000000 9% 0-5 8% Improvement in health & education facilities Strict border entry requirements UNHCR assistance package 32% 3% 7% 26% Paying Hightransportation costs of living/rent cost 52% 39% UNHCR assistance package 32% To obtain passport/visa to return to COA 3% Reunion with family/relatives in Afghanistan 16% 26% 33% Buy food and other commodities Other 5% Land allocationLand allocation scheme/ 16%scheme sheter and/or program shelter6-17 program 24% 17% Denied access to school and health facilities 33% 1500000 20% Rent accommodation 11% 3% Reunion with family inEmployment Afghanistan opportunities22% 14% Investment in livelihoods 10% Improvement in health and education facilities 3% Discrimination by local community 7% 26%Employment opportunities18-5911%7% PAKISTAN24% IRAN Payback loans 3% Improved weather conditions 15.6% 1000000Improvement in health & education facilities 2% BuildHigh shelter costs of living/rent2% 52% 7% PAKISTAN IRAN forUNHCR agriculture assistance3% activities package 32% Strict border entry requirements 7% 15.6% To obtain a passport /visa to return to COA 1% Other 3% To obtain passport/visaLand to allocationreturn to0% scheme/ COA 60+ sheter3% program0% Other 2% 24% Denied access to school and health facilities 33% 500000 Reunion withOther family in5% Afghanistan 22% Discrimination by local community 7% Employment opportunities 11% 3% 19.3% Improvement in health & education facilities 3% Strict border entry requirements 7% 3% 0 To obtain passport/visa to return to COA 3% '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18 '19 '20 Other 5% High costs of living/rent 52% UNHCR assistance package 32% High costsBorrow of living/rent from relatives to start 52% UNHCR assistance package 32% Land allocation scheme/ sheter programup a small business24% 12% Denied access to school and health facilities Rental33% REGISTERED VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION (zoomed in view of 2018, 2019,house 2020) Land allocation scheme/ sheter program 24% ReunionDenied with access family to in schoolAfghanistan and health facilities22% 33% 39%% 3000 Discrimination by local community 7% Reunion with family in Afghanistan 22% Employment opportunities 11% Rely on extended family Discrimination by local communitywage7% 11% Pakistan Employment opportunities 11% Improvement in health & education facilities 3% Strict border entryRental requirements Own7% 2500 house To obtain passport/visa to return to COA Begging 1% Iran house Improvement in health & education facilities 3% Strict border entry requirements3% 7% 26% 20% To obtain passport/visa to return to COA 3% 2000 Other 5% Other 3% Will join army Covid-19 period Other 5% Rely on daily 1500 2% wage 75% or police 1% Relatives house 53% 1000

500

0 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep 2018 2019 2020

For more information: Afghan Situation Portal - https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/afghanistan Feedback:7% [email protected]% IRAN

2000000 3%

1500000 High costs of living/rent 52% UNHCR assistance package 32% Land allocation scheme/ sheter program 24% Denied access to school and health facilities 33% 1000000 Reunion with family in Afghanistan 22% Discrimination by local community 7% Employment opportunities 11%

500000 Improvement in health & education facilities 3% Strict border entry requirements 7% To obtain passport/visa to return to COA 3% Other 5% 0 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '17 '18 '19 '20