Despite the projected returnee figure for 2017 of 267,800, only 58,817 Afghan refugees returned to Afghanistan with the majority from Pakistan (98% per cent or 57,411 individuals) and small numbers from Iran (1,202) and other neighbouring and non-neighbouring countries (204). A great majority (68%) of the total returnees returned to Kabul, Nangarhar, Kunduz, Loghar and Sar-a-Pul provinces. In 2017, Afghanistan continued to experience high levels of conflict, with increased levels of internal displacement and an increasingly heavy toll on civilian populations in many parts of the country.
UNHCR has further strengthened its monitoring systems: returnees were monitored immediately upon arrival at the Encashment Centres (EC monitoring) and one to six months later through a mobile phone survey upon settling in communities. During 2017, UNHCR conducted 2,653 interviews with returnees from Pakistan and 60 from Iran at the ECs. In June UNHCR also conducted 1,311 post-return phone interviews with returnees. In partnership with Orange Door Research, some 4,003 household interviews were also conducted from August to year end 2017; 6,097 IDPs and 3,995 individuals from the general population were also interviewed during the same period for comparative analysis. Returnees were provided with an unconditional voluntary repatriation cash grant of USD 200 per person to assist returning refugee families during the initial phase of return. Furthermore, returnees were also provided with basic healthcare, vaccinations for children, referrals to legal and social counselling, educational information, transit facilities for overnight stays, as well as mine-risk awareness at Encashment Centres. Monthly/ad-hoc cross-border video conferences were conducted between UNHCR Afghanistan and Pakistan. The cross-border discussions assisted UNHCR offices to maintain strong coordination and systematic information sharing on protection challenges faced by refugees in exile as well as during the return journey for necessary follow-up/intervention.
In 2017, the Governments of Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan continued discussions through the Tripartite Commission and Quadripartite steering committee, in the spirit of regional cooperation for the protection of Afghan refugees and reintegration efforts in Afghanistan. Through the 28th and 29th Tripartite Commission meetings in December 2017, Afghanistan, Pakistan and UNHCR encouraged the extension of validity of PoR cards and advocated for enhanced protection space in Pakistan. The Governments of Iran and Afghanistan continued their bilateral discussions on migratory management and documentation for Afghans residing in Iran.
During programme implementation in 2017, UNHCR maintained resources to respond to any unforeseen circumstances, particularly to respond to massive returns such as in 2016. The Encashment Centres in Kabul, Jalalabad and Kandahar remained fully prepared to respond to any emergencies.