HERAT CITY (SW): A record number of 48, 000 families have become internally displaced in Afghanistan, which is the largest number since 2002, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Afghan officials have said that more than 20 % of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are seeking shelter in the western parts of the country. Many more are on the run in eastern and southern parts of the country. Conflicts, drought and other natural disasters have forced over a million Afghans to leave their home and seek shelter in relatively safe places in the country.
Sayed Hussain Aalimi Balkhi, the Minister of Repatriates and Refugee Affairs (MoRRA) travelled to western Herat province on Thursday to evaluate the problems the misplaced families are faced with. He said on this occasion more than one million people have been internally displaced out which 220 thousands have moved and settled in western zone of the country.
The minister said that the government would spare no efforts to facilitate the IDPs and ensure their safe return to homes.
He added that out of 220 thousands misplaced people in Herat, Ghor, Badghis and Farah provinces, 110 thousands which make up 50% have settled in Herat city.
“Some misplaced families have settled on private properties, I ask Herat officials to provide accommodations for them so that they could shift to public land and no disputes emerge”, the minister said.
Mohammad Asif Rahimi, Governor of Herat, who was jointly addressing the press with the minister, asked the international community to assist the repatriation of the IDPs.
A national policy regarding the IDPs was established in 2013, which is aimed at establishing a comprehensive framework to tackle the needs and requirements of the internally displaced families and find a permanent solution for the problem.
ENDS
