The regional Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR), extended until December 2021, and the UNHCR’s multi-year country strategy 2017-2019 remained the overarching policy framework for UNHCR’s engagement and operations in Pakistan. Both strategies are aligned with UNHCR’s Global Strategic Priorities 2017-2021 and include the critical elements of the Global Compact on Refugees. In line with UNHCR’s strategic priorities, and in support of the implementation of the Government’s Comprehensive Policy on Voluntary Repatriation and Management of Afghan Nationals, UNHCR focused on: (1) facilitating voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees in safety and dignity; (2) ensuring continued protection of refugees in Pakistan, including through advocacy for the extension of the validity of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, enactment of the national refugee legislation and implementation of a protection-sensitive flexible visa regime for various categories of PoR card holders; (3) enhancing resilience and co-existence between Afghan refugees and their host communities by improving access to and quality of education and health services, as well as livelihood opportunities through investments in national systems; and (4) engaging in proactive advocacy and resource mobilization to ensure more equitable responsibility- and burden-sharing by the international community, particularly for the RAHA initiative.
In the absence of tangible sustainable reintegration opportunities in Afghanistan, it remained imperative for UNHCR to continue empowering refugees, both on an individual level and through community-based interventions. The RAHA programme remained a critical to maintaining the protection space, by delivering vital assistance and building resilience and social cohesion, amongst both refugees and their host communities. In line with UNHCR’s 10-Point Plan on Refugee Protection and Mixed Migration, UNHCR also supported advocacy efforts of other actors, such as IOM, in setting a foundation for predictable, rights-based and regulated management of cross-border movements and the stay of Afghans in the country. Diversified and enhanced partnerships were increased as the essential link between UNHCR’s solutions, protection and assistance interventions, including with development actors and the private sector, as well as through a cross-border platform initiative.
UNHCR continued to forge new partnerships with a variety of Government stakeholders engaged in the implementation of the Government’s Comprehensive Policy on Voluntary Repatriation and Management of Afghan Nationals. UNHCR continued providing material assistance and expertise to the Chief Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees and its provincial Commissionerates.
UNHCR continued working closely with the World Bank to support the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) and the Chief Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CCAR) with plans for training, skills development and development interventions within the IDA18 programme for refugees and their host communities. UNHCR, the World Bank, IOM and GIZ advanced the quadrilateral partnership for enhanced cross-border cooperation and coordination, including leadership of the platform from the Ministry of SAFRON and the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Reintegration.
Given the complex geopolitical dynamics between Afghanistan and Pakistan, UNHCR continued to engage the two Governments in a solutions dialogue within the framework of the SSAR.
Proactive joint resource mobilization was imperative to secure support for solutions and continued assistance for refugees and their host communities. The SSAR Support Platform was launched in December 2019, prior to the Global Refugee Forum.