KABUL (SW) – Some eight million Afghans have been forced to flee their country by the rages of war and poverty over past four decades according to figures by the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations.
However, since the start of peace talks between the government and the Taliban, people’s hopes for security, peace and employment in the country have increased.
Some Afghan refugees who have been forced to flee the country due to war, insecurity, economic hardship and unemployment and have found their way to European countries through difficult and irregular routes have welcomed the start of talks between the government and the Taliban. They say if the peace talks succeed and security returns to the country, they are ready to return home.
Atiqullah Talash, who was travelled to France irregularly about four years ago and has been eventually granted asylum by the French government, told Salam Watandar he wants to return to his homeland and be reunited with his family once peace is restored.
Ahmad Emami, meanwhile, is another Afghan refugee who fled to Iran five years ago. He then moved to Turkey, then to Greece and finally to Germany. He said he was faced with may hardships and wanted peace to prevail so that he can return.
Some Afghans are more hopeful than ever for the ongoing peace process and the proposed Istanbul Conference to end the war and bring peace to the country. They said these developments have increased the likelihood of the return of refugees.
Officials at the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations are working on a program, which includes projects to manage the return of refugees, allocate land to them and provide work facilities for refugees.
According to Reza Baher, deputy spokesman for the ministry, after the peace process, an agreement will be reached with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, with 40 percent of returnees getting jobs through employment programs and another 40 percent through the Citizens’ Charter Program. He added that the ministry has incorporated the government’s proposals presented at the Geneva Conference for providing jobs to at least 30 per cent of the returnees.
In this regard, the Migration Information Center has noted that its projects to raise awareness about irregular migration and encourage people to migrate regularly are also underway.
We also sought the views of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on plans after a likely peace deal, but the agency declined to comment.
Of the nearly 8 million Afghan refugees who have been forced to flee the country due to decades of war, insecurity and unemployment, about 2.5 million are residing in Iran and 2.3 million are in Pakistan.
ENDS
