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Afghan Refugees Face Winter Crisis After Pakistan's Forced Deportations

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has warned that Pakistan's expulsion of Afghan refugees is creating a severe humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by harsh winter conditions. Many deportees are placed in temporary camps lacking proper shelter, healthcare, clean water, and food. Recently returned refugees have pleaded with the Taliban regime for shelter, employment, and supplies to survive the winter. The situation highlights the critical need for sustained support from both the Afghan government and international aid organizations.

Key Points: Afghan Refugee Crisis Worsens After Pakistan Expulsions

  • Refugees in inadequate temporary camps
  • Limited access to healthcare and food
  • Forced deportations target various statuses
  • Winter conditions threaten survival
  • Returnees plead for Taliban assistance
3 min read

Expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan causing major humanitarian crisis: Leading NGO

MSF warns of a severe humanitarian crisis as Afghan refugees, expelled from Pakistan, face winter without adequate shelter, food, or medical care.

"The winter season becomes a silent killer for Afghan refugees if they do not have access to adequate shelter, medical care, and food. - MSF report"

Kabul, Jan 8

Doctors Without Borders, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres offering medical humanitarian assistance to people, has warned that the expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan is causing a serious humanitarian crisis, especially during winter season, endangering the lives of people, local media reported on Thursday.

In a report released on Wednesday, MSF stated that many of the expelled refugees are being placed in temporary camps which do not have proper shelter while access to healthcare, clean water and food remains extremely limited, Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported.

The organisation further stated that forced deportations impact undocumented migrants, Afghan citizenship cards holders and temporary registration cards (POC) holders, making situation dangerous as winter increases across the region.

Xu Weibing, the head of MSF mission in Pakistan, stated that Afghan families face fear of deportation and returning to Afghanistan. They also continue to urge the international community to provide humanitarian and protective assistance.

MSF stressed that the winter season becomes a silent killer for Afghan refugees if they do not have access to adequate shelter, medical care, and food, threatening the survival of many vulnerable people.

A large number of Afghan refugees reside in Pakistan, many of whom have lived there for decades. Pakistan's deportation of Afghan refugees during winter season has been widely criticised for inadequate proper support systems, leaving vulnerable people at risk.

Last month, refugees, who had recently returned to Afghanistan and are now residing in designated camps, urged the ruling Taliban regime to provide them shelter, employment opportunities and access to necessary supplies as the winter season was approaching.

"We ask the Islamic Emirate to pay attention to our situation. We are sick and cannot work in this cold. We need help," Afghanistan-based Tolo News quoted one Afghan returnee, Aynuddin, as saying.

Khan Mohammad and Mohammad Awaz, who have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan after 40 years, have expressed hope that the Taliban will help them get through the winter and added, "After that, we will try to rebuild our lives."

Mohammad Awaz said, "I have 10 children, and I'm worried they'll fall ill this winter. We ask the Islamic Emirate to provide us with facilities."

Analysts have stated that the government and aid organisations should continue supporting the Afghan refugees who recently returned to their homes.

The appeal from returnees and analysts came as Afghan refugees have been forcibly deported from neighbouring nations in recent years. The Taliban has repeatedly promised that it will provide assistance to Afghan refugees and urged host nations to stop forced deportations.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
A very complex issue. Pakistan's internal pressures are understandable, but the timing and execution are cruel. However, the ultimate responsibility now lies with the Taliban regime in Kabul. They asked for the refugees back, now they must provide for them. Promises are not enough.
A
Aman W
India has also seen refugee waves from our neighbourhood. We understand the strain, but basic humanity must prevail. MSF is doing God's work. Hope SAARC nations can discuss a coordinated humanitarian response, though politics makes it difficult. 😔
S
Sarah B
Reading about families with 10 children in makeshift camps with no healthcare... it's a disaster waiting to happen. "Silent killer" is the right term. Where is the UNHCR in all this? The world's attention is elsewhere, and innocent people are suffering.
K
Karthik V
While my heart goes out to the refugees, we must also be realistic. Pakistan's economy is struggling, and hosting millions is a burden. The solution isn't simple. The Taliban government needs to be recognized and supported by the world to actually rebuild Afghanistan and absorb its people. Long-term stability is the only answer.
N
Nidhi U
The plight of women and children in these camps must be horrific. Winter without proper shelter is a death sentence for the vulnerable. As an Indian, I feel we should offer whatever humanitarian aid we can, through trusted NGOs like MSF. This is beyond borders and politics.

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