$1.2 million project launched to support Afghan refugees in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The UN refugee agency and the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) launched a pilot program on Wednesday to help support the poorest Afghan refugees.
The poverty graduation program aims to support families living in extreme poverty, with household income of under $1.25 (SR 4.69) a day, who are without access to basic services.
“This approach brings innovative and market-based methods together to help people become independent by providing them with sustainable livelihood opportunities,” the UNCR said in statement.
The launch, at which the agreement was signed, was attended by UNHCR (the UN refugee agency) representative for Pakistan, Ms. Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, and the chief executive officer of PPAF, Mr.Qazi Azmat Isa, as well as other government officials.
The $1.2 million project, which is to run over 18 months, will benefit 2,000 households. Seventy percent of the people will be Afghan refugees and 30 percent Pakistani host communities in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pishin, Balochistan.
“The poverty graduation project focuses on vocational training skills development, enterprise development and agriculture initiatives. The trainees will be given toolkits to start an economic activity and will be assisted to create their own business plans” the statement said.
Ms. Ruvendrini Menikdiwela UNHCR representative for Pakistan said: “Poverty graduation is a practical approach, with the potential to contribute toward the creation of durable and sustainable livelihood solutions for refugees who live in Pakistan.”
Ms. Menikdiwela said projects will focus on skills and enterprise development and assist refugees to seek employment in Pakistan and to help provide sustainable reintegration for those who decide to return to Afghanistan.
UNHCR aims to expand and replicate the project in other priority districts where Afghan refugees are living after an evaluation has been carried out.
Pakistan continues to host 1.4 million Afghan refugees.
“In recognition of the support provided by the government and people of Pakistan for nearly four decades, UNHCR’s budget to support refugees in the country has increased in each of the past four years,” UNHCR said.
Pakistani officials say that government policy of on Afghan refugees is focused “the dignified return of our Afghan brothers to their homeland.” Earlier this month Pakistan extended the stay of registered Afghan refugees until June 30.
Pakistan also urged donor countries and aid agencies to support resettlement of returnees by building houses and initiating livelihood projects in Afghanistan.