Afghanistan Times
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The plaguing insecurity, has unleashed a wave of concern and despondency across the country. To counter the spread of terrorism, the government launches dozens of military operations, but does it take the troubles of the people into account? What are the measures of the government in pre-and-post military operation times? Insecurity and military operations have been the main causes of producing a large number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). On international stage, Syria is the world’s largest refugees producing nation whereas Afghanistan stands second to Syria. Afghanistan has been devastated by conflicts for the past three decades. The continued conflict has still been displacing thousands. The IDPs escape the unfavorable security and economic conditions. Hundreds of families have been displaced by the latest clashes between security forces and armed militants from Ala Sai and Tagab districts of central Kapisa province. Reportedly some civilians have also suffered casualties in the clashes. Many other have gone missing. The hapless civilians are stuck between the hammer and the anvil as on one side the Taliban infiltrate villages and districts that causes military operations, but the ultimate victim is the civilian population. Both the Taliban and the government are blameworthy for the miseries and displacements of civilians. The government before launching any military operations first must think about the safety of civilians and must arrange IDPs camps in relatively secure areas. The Taliban will never dare to go and live in IDPs camps. Therefore, the Taliban will remain back in villages and districts where it will be easier for security forces to eliminate them. Hundreds of families from Kapisa have migrated to Kabul, Jalalabad and some relatively peaceful districts of Kapisa. The question is how the government is helping these displaced families? Kapisa is not the only province rather thousands of families have been displaced from Kunar, Paktia, Helmand, and Badakhshan provinces. Moreover, winter season is just in and this is a season where the troubles of IDPs and those who have repatriated from Iran and Pakistan multiply as they face fuel shortages. Last year there were reports that edibles and food packages for IDPs and returnees reached black markets. Will the winter aid, which is supposed to given to the IDPs and returnees will reach them or land somewhere in black markets? Besides that military operations continue and more IDPs are likely to be produced where host communities will lose absorption capacity, doesn’t the government think they need to be hosted in additional camps? And if yes they need to be hosted in additional camps where are the camps?
The total number of returnees from Pakistan, Iran and other hosting lands receiving UNHCR reintegration assistance in 2015 is estimated at 245,600 persons, including both those arrivals in 2015, and those having returned during 2012- 2014. Given the role of UNCHR, some of the challenges of these returnees are being addressed, but who will care and address the troubles of the ill-fated IDPs?
