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U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRAL ASIA REGION - Complex Emergency Situation Report #2, Fiscal Year (FY) 2002 October 11,
2001 Humanitarian prospects worsened sharply in Afghanistan
in September 2001 due to developments both inside and outside the
country. Osama bin Laden, who currently resides in Afghanistan under
Taliban protection, is the leading suspect in the September 11 terrorist
attack against the United States. Fears of a U.S. reprisal triggered
a population exodus from major Afghan cities, both towards other points
in Afghanistan and towards the country's borders. The beginning of
U.S. air strikes on October 7 caused additional movement. International
staff of most relief agencies also withdrew, leaving the status of
relief programs in question at a critical moment. In addition, even
prior to the September 11 there were signs that relations between
the international community and the Taliban were worsening significantly.
These new developments added to an existing crisis of extensive displacement
stemming from civil conflict and a debilitating three-year drought.
The new crisis has also threatened to affect the entire region, with
the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) predicting the influx
of up to 1.5 million refugees to neighboring countries in the event
of substantial new conflict in Afghanistan. Notes
CURRENT SITUATION One immediate effect of the beginning of military action was that the information flow from Afghanistan, already at a trickle due to a recent near-total Taliban ban on communications, slowed even further. As a result, little information is available on the status of populations and relief programs inside Afghanistan. There have been reports of thousands of people leaving Afghanistan's major cities, but it has been unclear whether they are moving towards borders or towards nearby villages for safety. To date, however, there have been no reports of massive numbers of new arrivals at border crossing points. Military action also further impeded humanitarian work, both due to security concerns and intensified Taliban harassment of local relief staff. In particular, the U.N. reported October 10 that U.N. Mine Action Program (UNMAP) workers were increasingly being targeted by the Taliban, with incidents of beatings of staff in Kandahar, Jalalabad, and Kabul. Additional Taliban harassment reported by the U.N. included the ransacking of a U.N. office in Mazar-e-Sharif, and the seizure of several vehicles in Kandahar. In another incident that underscored the increased danger, the U.N. reported that four staff of an Afghan demining NGO in Kabul working for UNMAP were killed by a stray U.S. missile. Political/Military. Although there have been reports that forces of the opposition Northern Alliance were prepared to take advantage of air strikes and attempt to seize control of Kabul as early as the week of October 8, an October 11 Washington Post report indicated that Northern Alliance leaders had agreed to delay any such attempt until an interim government could be established to replace the Taliban. There have been concerns about extensive bloodshed if rebels seize the capital before a functioning government and security forces are in place. In addition, the Northern Alliance is primarily composed of ethnic Tajiks, Uzbeks, and Hazaras, and it is likely that Afghanistan's Pashtuns, the country's largest ethnic group, would be reluctant to see the Northern Alliance take control without an government providing adequate representation. There have also been reports that Northern Alliance forces are planning to move towards Mazar-e-Sharif, a northern city that fell under Taliban control in 1998. In two separate incidents on two occasions in the last week that raised tensions across an already tense border area, Taliban forces crossed the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, apparently seeking to avoid air strikes, encountered Pakistani border forces, and were driven back across the border. Food Security. Following the commencement of air strikes, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) temporarily halted food deliveries into Afghanistan, citing security concerns. Transport of WFP food aid into Afghanistan has resumed, however. A 40-truck convoy carrying 1,007 metric tons (MT) of food departed Peshawar, Pakistan October 10; and additional convoy from Mashad, Iran arrived in the western Afghanistan city of Herat October 10. WFP reported October 10 that convoys are scheduled to cross into the country from Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, carrying a total of 3,285 MT of food aid, sufficient for 700,000 Afghans for one week, as part of a planned acceleration of food deliveries. WFP reported that it was striving to fill up its warehouses in Afghanistan within the coming weeks before winter made some key mountain passes in the Northern and Central Region impassable. On October 10, WFP reiterated its goal to provide 52,000 MT of food aid each month to vulnerable beneficiaries inside Afghanistan. According to WFP, there are currently 9,022 MT of food inside Afghanistan, and 45,535 MT of food in neighboring countries. Pakistan. Pakistan has experienced violent protests in response to the air strikes in Afghanistan, particularly in the border cities of Peshawar and Quetta. To date, three people have been killed in rioting. In Quetta, rioters burned a UNICEF building, attacked other buildings and vandalized U.N. vehicles. Protesters reportedly also attacked the offices of several relief agencies in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) near Peshawar. UNHCR reported October 10 that work on prospective refugee camp sites had been suspended for three days in Baluchistan and NWFP due to security concerns. In general, relief agency staff mobility in Pakistan has been drastically limited due to unrest, at a time when agencies are scrambling to prepare for a possible large-scale refugee crisis. UNHCR reported October 10 that it is continuing to build up stockpiles in Pakistan; UNHCR now has 15,000 tents in Peshawar, sufficient for up to 80,000 people, and 5,000 tents in Quetta, sufficient for 30,000 people. The stockpiles remain far short of UNHCR's interim contingency goal to be prepared for 300,000 people, and its longer-term goal to be prepared for up to one million new refugees. UNHCR is also building up stockpiles of plastic sheeting and blankets. As of October 11, UNHCR's tally of known refugee arrivals in Pakistan since September 11 had not risen above 20,000, although thousands more had reportedly crossed the border at informal points. Iran. Although one Reuters report after air strikes began indicated that Iran had turned back hundreds of Afghans crossing the border, there have been no other new reports of refugees arriving in Iran. Central Asia. Tajikistan, which has cited an inability to cope with any refugee influx in keeping its borders shut, is currently experiencing a second year of drought. Rainfall in major food producing areas has averaged 60 percent below the long-term average, while snowfall was estimated to be 40-60 percent of normal levels. Drought conditions have led to a serious decline in food production and threatened the livelihoods of vulnerable populations. According to an assessment conducted by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and WFP, the estimated cereal production for 2001 was down 15 percent compared to last year's level, and 36 percent compared to the averages from the past five years. Farming families impacted by the drought sold personal possessions in order to survive. On October 10, USAID/OFDA responded to a disaster declaration for Tajikistan's drought with $998,180 in assistance. For details please see "USG Humanitarian Assistance," below. Afghanistan: Central Region and Kabul. In Kabul, people in unknown numbers reportedly were leaving the city for surrounding rural areas, as well as the Northern Alliance-held Panjshir Valley, continuing a trend that had begun prior to the October 7 commencement of air strikes. UNOCHA reported October 10 that some shops remain open in Kabul, although overall activity in markets and the streets appears significantly lower. All U.N. offices in Kabul are currently safe, according to UNOCHA, but one NGO reported that Taliban authorities had commandeered three of its vehicles. As of October 10, most NGOs were continuing operations in the Central Region, according to UNOCHA, which reported that attendance at health centers on the outskirts of Kabul had significantly increased, probably due to population movements out of Kabul. UNOCHA reported that up to 8,000 families have reportedly arrived recently in Laghman Province, directly east of Kabul. UNOCHA warned October 10 that the population of the central Hazarajat region remains extremely vulnerable, and that assistance reaching this difficult-to-access area remains minimal. According to UNOCHA, supplementary feeding and health assistance are priorities in this area. UNOCHA also noted that a reasonable level of security exists in Hazarajat, making assistance more feasible; the U.N. is exploring the possibility of transporting both food and non-food relief supplies to the region via the commercial sector. Much of Hazarajat becomes inaccessible during winter months. Afghanistan: Northern Region and Northeast. IOM reported October 9 that it is preparing to distribute 30,000 boots, locally purchased in Mazar-e-Sharif, to assist IDPs in preparing for winter in the Bagh-e-Sherkat and Ameribad camps in Kunduz Province. The two camps host a total of 4,000 families. IOM has also distributed 1,538 quilts that arrived October 5 in Ameribad. IOM also plans to locally purchase 30,000 winter socks and 5,000 shawls for distribution to IDPs. There are currently up to an estimated 300,000 IDPs in the Northern Region, displaced by a combination of drought and conflict. No information is available on any additional displacement related to the events of September 11 or the air strikes that commenced October 7. In the relatively small Northern Alliance-controlled Northeastern Region, there have been no reports of population movements to date. IDPs in the Northeastern Region number an estimated 84,000, according to UNOCHA; the leading cause of displacement has been conflict. Afghanistan: Western Region. According to an October 10 CNN report, Northern Alliance officials have made an unconfirmed claim that they have captured the western Afghanistan province of Ghor. Previously, Northern Alliance forces reportedly controlled Chagcharan, the provincial capital, and there had been sporadic fighting in the area. WFP reported October 9 that it is continuing distribution of food assistance to 350,000 beneficiaries in Herat's IDP camps. The IDP influx to Herat, which during the summer months sometimes reached 300 persons per day, has virtually stopped. Reportedly, IDPs are leaving Herat's camps for home areas. IOM reported October 9 that it is beginning distribution
of 10,000 woolen blankets to IDPs in Maslakh, Herat's largest IDP
camp, to be completed by the end of the week. The blankets were purchased
in Iran. IOM is also continuing efforts to construct 5,000 mud brick
shelters for IDPs in Herat in an effort to provide adequate protection
against harsh winter conditions. According to IOM, its local staff
is fulfilling all responsibilities, and as a result IOM programs are
continuing at full speed. In Tajikistan, On October 10, 2001, U.S. Chargé
d'Affaires James A. Boughner declared a disaster due to drought, and
requested funds for a seed and fertilizer distribution program. USAID/OFDA
responded by providing $998,180 through the U.S. Embassy to CARE for
the purchase and distribution of winter wheat seeds and fertilizer.
In April 2001, USAID/OFDA and State/PRM Airlifts Second and third airlifts to Herat - 610 tents, 17,500 blankets, 4,800 five-gallon water jugs, four metric tons of high-protein biscuits, and three modified World Health Organization kits, each with sufficient supplies to treat 1,000 people for one month, via two USAID/OFDA-chartered planes on February 9 and 16 (including transport) $650,850 Airlift to Peshawar - 500 tents, 5,000 blankets and 100 rolls of plastic sheeting from USAID/OFDA's stockpile for consignment to IRC for use in the Jalozai and Shamshatoo Afghan refugee camps, plus two health kits (including transport) $239,000 Grants - FY 2002 (Afghanistan) FAO - seed multiplication $300,000 International Medical Corps (IMC) - health assistance for IDPs and local residents in Herat. $735,000 UNICEF - nutrition surveillance, health, and water/sanitation activities country-wide $1,650,000 Save the Children (SC)/US - nutrition surveillance in northern Afghanistan $206,488 UNOCHA - humanitarian coordination $2,500,000 UNICEF - Water and Environmental Sanitation ICRC - support for pre-positioning and mobilization
of food and non-food stocks for use within Afghanistan in addressing
the needs of 540,000 drought and war-displaced people, as well as
support for airlifts WFP - support for a Joint Logistics Center and humanitarian air operations $2,500,000 Total USAID/OFDA FY 2002 $13,521,488 Grants - FY 2001 (Afghanistan) ACTED - IDP camp management and support in Baghlan $70,000 ACTED - support via USAID/Almaty for shelter and nonfood assistance to Afghan IDPs. $50,000 AirServe - humanitarian transport $200,000 CARE/US - food assistance for drought-affected populations in central, western, and southern Afghanistan. $415,000 CARE/US - livelihoods support for drought-affected populations in Wardak and Ghazni. $465,000 CARE/US - water supply and health education in Kabul $145,000 Church World Service - humanitarian assessments FAO - seed multiplication $200,000 GOAL - shelter, infrastructure, and agriculture displacement-prevention
activities in Samangan International Medical Aid (IMA) - health in Bamiyan and Samangan. $100,000 IMC - health assistance for IDPs and local residents in Herat. $400,000 IRC - IDP assistance in partnership with local NGOs, including management and support for Sakhi camp for 5,000 families in Mazar-e-Sharif $250,000 IRC - support for distribution of USAID/OFDA airlifted
relief commodities for Pakistan's Jalozai and Shamshatoo camps $50,000 MCI - assistance to 3,000 war-affected IDPs with nonfood
relief commodities to meet basic heating, lighting, and cooking needs
in Takhar and Badakshan. MCI - support to vulnerable populations affected by the Taliban poppy ban in the Helmand Valley $100,000 Save the Children/US (SC/US) - drought-related relief activities in a range of sectors, including health with a focus on maternal and child care; winterization for IDPs; and cash-for-work drought activities including well and kareze repair and digging; and wheat seed distribution. Benefits populations in Andkhoi, Faryab; Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh; and Kabul $1,500,000 SC/US - nutrition surveillance in northern Afghanistan Shelter Now International (SNI/US) - food and nonfood
assistance to support host families sheltering 5,650 war-affected
IDPs in the Rostaq area of Takhar SNI/US - food-for-work construction of 4200 shelters plus water/sanitation support in Herat's Maslakh IDP camp $1,500,000 UNCHS/Habitat - shelter for 12,500 IDP families in Herat. $350,000 UNCHS/Habitat - urban community-based drought and displacement response countrywide $200,000 UNCHS/Habitat - emergency solid waste collection in
Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, Herat, and Farah UNICEF - nutrition surveillance, health, and water/sanitation activities country-wide $350,000 UNOCHA -support for the purchase of nonfood relief commodities
for IDPs ($200,000); support for WFP-managed food programs and implementing
partners ($300,000); and support for continued air transport services
for humanitarian goods and cargo ($100,000). UNOCHA - support for humanitarian coordination. Total USAID/OFDA FY 2001 $12,599,441 Grants - FY 2002 (Tajikistan) Total USAID/OFDA Tajikistan FY 2002 $998,180 USAID/FFP Total USAID/FFP FY 2001 $31,200,000 USAID/DG International Human Rights Law Group - support for Afghan refugee women in Pakistan $250,000 Total USAID/DG FY 2001 $450,000 Total USDA FY 2001. $99,800,000 State/PRM ICRC - Funding for programs in Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan that serve Afghan refugees and conflict victims $6,900,000 UNHCR - Funding for programs of the UNHCR in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran that serve Afghan refugees and internally displaced persons $16,030,000 UNOCHA - Support for immediate emergency coordination and preparedness measures for Afghan refugee programs $1,000,000 WFP - Transportation costs for delivery of U.S. food contributions $589,069 CWS - Primary health care, preventive and reproductive health care, and community health education for Afghan refugees in Pakistan and returnees in Afghanistan $154,507 IMC - Health care assistance for Afghan refugees in Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan $535,695 IRC - Drought relief in the form of health care and water and sanitation needs for Afghan refugees in Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan $345,464 IRC - Support to Afghan refugees in Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan through local NGO grants and local NGO capacity building $509,998 IRC - Basic health and sanitation services for Afghan refugees in 12 camps in the Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan $137,265 IRC - Female education program providing support for primary and secondary education, teacher training, and community participation for refugees in the Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan $650,600 MCI - Health care and capacity building for Afghan refugees
in Quetta, Pakistan, with particular focus on refugee women and girls
and other vulnerable persons MCI - Drought relief in the form of health care, nutrition, and water for Afghan refugees in Baluchistan, Pakistan. $736,371 SC/US - Primary and reproductive health care and primary education programs for Afghan refugees in Haripur and Baluchistan, Pakistan. $1,511,778 SC/UK - support for child-focused local health education materials and trains partner agencies to develop health education skills among refugee populations in Pakistan and Afghanistan. $94,520 Total State/PRM FY 2001 $29,828,659 Total State/HDP FY 2001 $2,800,000 State/INL Total State/INL FY 2001 $1,500,000 Total CDC FY 2001 $569,525
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