Conditions are dire for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in regions of northern Afghanistan (see note 1), and the number of people fleeing fighting and the effects of drought are rising. According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), there are now over 53,000 IDP families in the northern provinces of Afghanistan, with large concentrations in Balkh province, mostly around the city of Mazar-e-Sharif and in Chemtal and Sholgar districts. Most of the IDPs are fleeing conflict, as well as drought-related food shortages in neighboring Sar-e-pul, Samangan, and Jawzjan provinces. Many now live in makeshift camps in squalid, unsanitary conditions, without adequate food, water and health services. U.N. agencies, including OCHA and the World Food Program, have called for more international organizations in the area to assist with emergency assistance and to increase mitigation projects aimed at keeping people from leaving their communities.
The IRC Response
To improve the delivery of emergency assistance to the displaced in Mazar, the International Rescue Committee established a consortium—the NGO Partnership for Assistance to IDPs (NPAI)—made up of the IRC and eight national non-governmental organizations, which have worked in Afghanistan over the last decade (see note 2). The consortium based in Mazar, began operations in late May.
Emergency Projects for IDPs in Balkh: Over the last few weeks, NPAI has screened and registered 14,362 IDP families in 27 camps in Balkh province. Of roughly 9,000 families around Mazar, 5,300 of the most deprived have been chosen for relocation to the new Sakhi camp, built and managed by members of NPAI (see note 3). (The remaining 4,000 will be moved in coming months to camps managed by other agencies.) UNOCHA, UNICEF, and WFP are providing direct support and funding for humanitarian activities at Sakhi camp, and Medicins Sans Frontiers (MSF) will work with NPAI to provide certain health and sanitation services there.
Rural Mitigation Activities: NPAI is also conducting assessments in rural areas-of-origin throughout northern Afghanistan: in Faryab, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, Jawzjan, and Balkh provinces. In coming weeks, the NPAI consortium hopes to start widespread mitigation activities in the locations above as a means of preventing communities from fleeing. The projects would include emergency food distributions and nutrition services, infrastructure rehabilitation, water source improvements, and irrigation, as well as projects in agricultural assistance and health education. Notes:
1: Baghlan, Kunduz, Samangan, Takhar, Balkh, Jawzjan, Faryab, and Sar-e-Pul. 2: National Afghan NGOs: CHA, NPO/RRAA, AREA, ADA, ACLU, PRB, DHSA, COAR. 3: The selection process for Sakhi camp was made according to set criteria designed to prioritize the seriousness of humanitarian needs faced by the IDPs in the areas of shelter, availability of food and water, health services, security, work opportunities, and sanitation levels.
