Returnee and IDP families, often with low literacy and employment skills, are experiencing serious reintegration challenges. Many inhabit informal settlements in urban centers with little or no security of tenure, irregular and limited access to basic services, and few prospects of secure/stable livelihoods. At the same time, the lack of linkages to, and representation of people of concern on, the local Community Development Councils is one of the key challenges for re-integration prospects. In the meantime, returnees and IDPs’ presence within host communities increases the pressure on shared community resources (e.g., water, healthcare, education, etc.). The lack of livelihood opportunities also contributes to irregular movements within and outside of Afghanistan.
Building on the findings of protection monitoring and other participatory discussions with affected communities and aligned with the Citizen’s Charter Programme and other National Priority Programmes, UNHCR will design its interventions in three phases with the full participation of the communities. First, UNHCR will engage with communities to identify and prioritize their needs and agree on measures that could support them in mitigating protection risks, strengthening their resilience and prospects for reintegration, and promoting peaceful coexistence. The evidence collected, including community perspectives and priorities, will inform the second phase, namely the community-based advocacy and training activities in coordination with the provincial and district governments and the community-based management structures such as the CDCs. The final phase will establish interventions based on community prioritization to improve living conditions in targeted areas, through cash-for-work and other infrastructure support to boost income generating opportunities. In 2020 UNHCR engaged in 15 infrastructure projects such as the construction of roads/culverts, deep/shallow wells, a solar powered water pipe scheme and a water reservoir, supporting 90,000 beneficiaries. Further needs for infrastructure development have been identified for 2021.
Prioritized response: A multi-faceted approach benefitting the community as a whole will be implemented through small-scale interventions, such as constructing or improving community infrastructure to facilitate access and inclusion, including for groups with specific needs (women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities). UNHCR’s interventions will focus on building on past achievements in the priority areas of return and reintegration, aiming at facilitating interim and long-term solutions for all affected communities. A cash-for-work component will be integrated to provide income generating opportunities and to ease community tension over limited resources. UNHCR’s interventions in this regard will act as a catalyst to attract more development partners to seek long-term solutions for all affected communities through a whole-of-community/society approach.