CONFIDENTIAL
Elbow.
UNHCR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING : BRIEFING NOTES
1.
Nature of the Refugees
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UNHCR have determined that Afghan refugees all have mandatory status. We see no reason to dissent from that assessment.
2.
Needs of Refugees
3.
Basic assessment of refugees' needs has already been made. Current efforts represent fine-tuning required by shifts in numbers of the local population and efforts to improve infrastruc- ture. UNHCR have divided the areas they cover into territorial and sectoral offices. Field officers in these divisions make regular field visits (4 days out of 5). The Pakistan government has a parallel organisation. Relations are cenerally good and assessments are often made in common. The refugees' needs are often represented at a tribal/village level by a local malik or tribal elders.
Assistance Programmes
UNHCR are satisfied that programmes in places meet the refugees' basic needs but readily accept that improvement in the detail of
Given Programmes can always be made and are trying to fill gaps. the nature of the Afghan refugees and the military operations of the Mujahideen, it is impossible to be categorical that no assistance is used for "military/political" purposes but as the nature of UNHCR assistance has shifted from direct help to more infrastructure support there is less scope for diversion. The Mujahideen in any case, receive separate supplies from the Pakistanis. The UNHCR has, by policy decision, ensured that infrastructure projects help not only refugees but also local populations: this is intended to reduce local political pressures against the refugees. Serious UNHCR efforts at reducing "dependency" eg through income-generating projects have to be carefully balanced with a firm Pakistani policy of non-integration. Refugees are encouraged to make own relief items by providing them with basic supplies. They are also encouraged to supplement income and basic dry food supplied through kitchen garden and agricultural projects. The implementing partner, however, in projects is the Pakistan government (or voluntary agencies) the UNHCR sees itself as having only a monitoring role. The UNHCR view, that it is unreasonable to expect full self-sufficiency, is reinforced by the political pressures on the Pakistan government not to allow the refugees to participate fully in local life. These pressures have increased since martial law was abolished and have been exacerbated by a campaign of terrorism inspired by the Soviets and DRA against areas with refugee populations.
CONFIDENTIAL
/4.
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