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Afghanistan: Progress towards an IDP policy

Countries
Afghanistan
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Preparations for upcoming winter in full swing

  • Almost 2,500 Afghans newly displaced in October 2012 because of conflict

  • 24 reported attacks against humanitarian personnel and assets in October

  • CAP only 48% funded, with two months to go in 2012

Progress towards an IDP policy

As at end of October, efforts to support the Government in the formulation of an IDP policy had made considerable progress. The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of IDPs, Dr. Chaloka Beyani finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) following his working visit in July to initiate the IDP policy. The MoU underscores the rights of IDPs and pledges to promote their protection and address their needs in accordance with relevant Afghan laws and policies, international human rights and humanitarian law as expressed in the guiding principles on internal displacement. Additionally it identifies relevant elements of human rights and humanitarian law that could be incorporated into the policy. The MoU calls for immediate attention to developing strategies for finding durable solutions for all IDPs in Afghanistan, in order to ensure any future return and resettlement of IDPs is voluntary and takes place under conditions of safety and dignity. A protection capacity expert has been deployed and is working to support the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation in formulating the policy.

Key dates:

  • First week of March 2013: first draft is to be finalized based on inputs from national and provincial consultations

  • Mid- March 2013: national conference to formally agree on the draft by stakeholders

  • Late March 2013: submission of the draft to the government to consider the policy for adoption

  • 30 March 2013: Consultations, policy drafting and approval process is expected to be completed

Efforts to put in place the institutional architecture are currently ongoing, and the IDP policy working group has embarked on the very initial drafts of the policy for further consultations.

Advocacy efforts by national and international actors to support the quick adoption of the policy are planned for the first months of 2013.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.