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Action plan for integration: Herat December 2019

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ACTION PLAN FOR INTEGRATION: HERAT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4

PART 1 – SCOPE OF RESEARCH 7

PART 2 – FINDINGS 10A. Overview of Displacement Context 10B. Physical Safety 15C. Material Safety 17D. Legal Safety 29E. ImpactofDisplacementonDifferentGroups 34F. OverviewofFindings 36

PART3–CONCLUSIONANDRECOMMENDATIONS 38

PART 4 - ACTION PLAN 41

Annexescontainingtheresearchmethodology,tools,andfulldatasetcanbefoundat www.adsp.ngo

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DateofproductionDecember 2019

Acknowledgements

ThestudywascommissionedusingfundingfromDANIDAandtheEuropeanUnion’sCivilProtectionandHumanitarianAiddepartment.TheviewssetoutinthisreportarethoseoftheauthorsanddonotreflecttheofficialopinionofDANIDA, the EU, ADSP or its members.

European UnionCivil Protec�on andHumanitarian Aid

Research team

Photo Credits: NRCDesignPabloSoucy/ArbosStudio

Thestudyisbasedonsecondarydatareviewandinterviews.Theresearcherwouldliketoextendhisdeepestappreciationtoallthosewhoactivelyfacilitatedandcontributedtothisstudyandshareddifferentdocumentsandparticipatedinthediscussions.Thisincludesstaff from government departments, United Nations agencies, national and international Non-Governmental Organisations and private sector service providers.

http://arbos-studio.com

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Abbreviations ADSP AsiaDisplacementSolutionsPlatformAfs Afghani(unitofcurrency)ATR AssessTransformReachConsultingCCAP Citizens’ Charter Afghanistan Project CDC CommunityDevelopmentCouncilCRDSA Coordination of Rehabilitation and Development Services for AfghanistanCSO Central Statistics Organization DoRR DirectorateofRefugeesandRepatriationDRC DanishRefugeeCouncilFGD FocusGroupDiscussionGBV Gender-Based ViolenceHEAT HouseholdEmergencyAssessmentToolHLP HouseLandandPropertyHRP HumanitarianResponsePlanIASC Inter-Agency Standing Committee IDI In-depth InterviewIDMC Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre IDP Internally Displaced PersonsIOM International Organization for MigrationIRC InternationalRescueCommitteeJIPS JointIDPsProfilingServicesKII Key Informant Interview LAS Land Allocation Scheme MoE Ministry of Economy MoI Ministry of Interior MoLSAMDMinistryofLabour,SocialAffairs, Martyrs and DisabledMoPH MinistryofPublicHealthMoRR MinistryofRefugeesandRepatriationMUDA Ministry of Urban Development and AraziNRC NorwegianRefugeeCouncilOCHA UnitedNationsOfficefortheCoordination ofHumanitarianAffairsReDSS RegionalDurableSolutionSecretariatRI Relief InternationalTVET TechnicalandVocationalEducationTrainingUNHCR United Nations High Commissioner forRefugees

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ThisassessmentistheculminationofanAsiaDisplacementSolutionsPlatform(ADSP)projectwhichaimstoguideprogrammingandpolicyinterventionsofADSPmembers,aswellasotherhumanitariananddevelopmentpartners,tosupporttheearlyrecoveryofcommunitiesaffectedbydisplacementinHerat.

Basedonaseriesofindicatorsrelevanttophysical,material,andlegalsafety,theassessmentidentifiesthedisparities betweenhostcommunitiesandthosewhohavebeendirectlyaffectedbydisplacement,servingtohighlightthechallenges faced by the displaced when it comes to integration. While this is not a needs assessment, and is not meant toserveasasubstitutefortechnicalassessments,theActionPlanaimstodevelopaprogrammaticstrategytoenhancecommunityresilienceandintegrationbetweenhostanddisplacedpopulations,bringingtogetherabroadcoalitionofhumanitariananddevelopmentactorswithcomplementaryskills.Thisreportprovidesanoverviewofthefindings,describingoneproxyindicator,andkeyfindingsfromothersupportingindicators.Readerswishingtoexplorethefulldatasetshouldvisitwww.adsp.ngo,whereallfindings,includingdetailsdemographic,geographicandprogrammingdata are available.

HeratishostsomeofthelargestnumbersofIDPsinAfghanistan.Conflict,lackofeconomicopportunityandnaturaldisasterhavedrivendisplacementoverpastdecades,leadingtothesettlementofgroupsofIDPs,returnees,andeconomicmigrantsinandaroundHeratcity.Lackofinfrastructureinbothurbanandperi-urbanareas,andpovertyinhostcommunitieshavemadesupportfor—andintegrationof—IDPschallenging.

TheAfghanGovernmentlauncheditsNationalPolicyonInternallyDisplacedPersons(IDPs)inFebruary2014,followedbytheHeratProvincialActionPlan—thefirstonedevelopedinthecountry—toguideitsimplementationinHeratProvince.ThisprovidesaframeworkfortheprovisionofhumanitarianassistanceandidentificationofdurablesolutionsforIDPs.Whilesomemeasureshavebeenimplemented,thegovernment’seffortshavebeenlimited,sincetheplanreliesprimarilyuponNGOstakingresponsibilityfordeliveringassistance.Further,bureaucracyandlackofcommitmentin some ministries slow down progress at the provincial levels.

IDPslivinginHeratcityhavevariousprofiles.HalfoftheIDPscomefromotherdistrictswithinHeratProvince,whiletherestcomeprimarilyfromBadghisandGhorprovinces.LiketheHerathostcommunity,IDPsarepoorandstruggletofindemploymentastheylackspecificskillsandopportunitiesremainextremelylimitedinastrugglingeconomy.Still,theoverwhelmingmajoritywanttostayintheprovince,wheretheyfeelsafeandhopetobenefitfrombetterlivingstandardsthanareavailableintheirareaoforigin.EventhoughlocalgovernanceactorsdonothaveresourcestomeaningfullysupportIDPs,theyhavedisplayedsolidarityandreportedlyfoundtemporarysolutionsbasedontheirownorvillage’sresources.

DuringthecrisisphaseoftherecentdroughtawiderangeofUNagenciesandinternationalandlocalNGOs,inpartnership with Afghan line ministries, provided emergency assistance to arriving IDPs. Emergency programmes endedinJune2019andhavenotbeenreplacedbyprogrammesaimedatlongertermassistance.

IDPssaytheyaresatisfiedwiththeattitudeofthegovernmentandhostcommunities.Yet,whenaskedaboutIDPs,governmentofficialsexpressedastrongwishtoseethemreturntotheirareaoforigin,highlightingtheprecarityofIDPs‘situtationinHerat.Meanwhile,theIDPs’presencehastriggeredtensionswithsomehostcommunitieswhoaccusethemofcommittingcriminalactsandresentthefactthattheyreceiveassistancewhileresidents’basicneedsare not met.

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In general, IDPs feel safe, with only a few reporting experiences of direct physical or psychological violence. The main protectionconcernsareearlyandforcedmarriagesandchildlabour.WhilebotharecommoninAfghanistan,theyaremost likely exacerbated by increased poverty associated with displacement.

IDPs’accesstobasicservicesislimited,especiallysinceemergencyprogrammesendedinJune2019.Lackoffoodisacriticalneed,andfoodshortagesaffectbothIDPsandthehostcommunity.TwothirdsofIDPsarehungryatleastoncea week and a higher proportion of women experience lack of food than men. Additionally, even people who do not reportfoodshortagesmaynothaveaccesstoanadequateanddiversediet.

Themostrecently-arrivedIDPsfacedifficultiesaccessingadequatehousing.AthirdofrecentIDPsliveintents,whilemanyothersliveinrentedhouseswhicharenotalwaysinagoodcondition.ThemajorityofIDPshaveaccesstosafedrinkingwaterandtosanitation.Thoseusingtapwaterhavecomplainedaboutitscostandtheneedtohaveelectricityto access it.

IDPs face obstacles accessing health services, with distance to the hospital and associated travel costs the major barrier.Accesstoeducationisalsolimitedforseveralreasons:manyvillagesdonothaveaschoolandparentsarereluctanttohavetheirchildrenwalklongdistancestoattendclasses;schoolsareoftenovercrowded,resultinginstudentshavingtostudyintheopenair,inshiftsthroughouttheday;needingchildrentoworktosupporttheirfamilies;andtheinabilityofstudentstoregisterforschoolwithoutidentificationdocuments.

Inaddition,IDPs’accesstoeconomicactivitiesislimited.Employmentopportunitiesarerarewheretheyliveandtheirmainsourceofincomeisself-employmentandoccasionallabour.IDPsdonothavesufficientfinancialresourcestostartsmallbusinessesandtheydonothaveaccesstoloans.TheTVETprogrammesavailabledonotaddressthegreatneedforskills.Thisultimatelycontributestoasignificantdifferenceintermsofstandardoflivingbetweenhostanddisplacedpopulations,withtheproportionofhostcommunitywhocanalwaysaffordbasicexpensesthreetimeshigherthan IDPs.

Otherthanchallengesassociatedwithstrainedfinances,displacedpeopledonotfacespecificobstaclestoaccessinglandandproperty.However,IDPsgenerallysuffermorefrominsecurityoftenurethanhostcommunities.AdultIDPspossessnationalidentitycardsinlargenumbers,thoughwomenlackidentificationdocumentsmorefrequentlythanmen,andtheproblemisevenmoreacuteforIDPchildren.WhilemechanismstoobtainorreplacedocumentationexistintheareaoforigintheyremainlargelyinaccessibletoIDPs,whoareunabletotravelbecauseofinsecurityandassociated costs.

Displacedpeople’slevelofparticipationinpublicaffairsissimilartothatofhostcommunitymembers.IDPshavetheabilitytovoteandbeelected,thoughtheirparticipationislow,especiallyamongwomen.Similarly,IDPs’involvementinsocialandpoliticallifeislimited.Inaddition,displacedpeoplehaveaccesstoformalandinformaljusticesystems,butprefertoseekjusticeinformally,astheyconsidertheformaljusticesystemmorecorrupt.Mechanismstoaddresscomplaintsspecificallyrelatingtodisplacementandassistanceexist,butIDPsareunawareofthemandturninsteadtovillage leaders.

Vulnerabilitiesareexacerbatedbydisplacementandimpactontheabilityofspecificgroupstoaccessservices.Lackofdocumentationandlimitedpersonalnetworks—particularlyfornewarrivals—affectaccesstoeducation,economicopportunities,andcredit.FemaleIDPshaveadditionalbarriersthatpreventthemfromaccessinghealthservices,workopportunitiesandfood.Also,anurban/peri-urbandividehasemergedonseveralissuessuchassafetyperception,trustinthepolice,lackoffood,housingandsanitation.

Thefulldatafromwhichtheseconclusionsweredrawncanbeaccessedatwww.adsp.ngo. The annexes detailing the researchmethodologydatacollectiontoolscanalsobefoundthere.

http://www.adsp.ngo

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Overview

offindings

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PART 1 – SCOPE OF THE RESEARCH BackgroundandContextNearlyfourdecadesofconflictinAfghanistanhaveforcedlargenumbersofAfghanstoleavetheirhomesandseekrefugeelsewhere,eitherabroadorinotherpartsofthecountry.Inaddition,since2002over5.2million1 Afghan refugeeshavereturnedtoAfghanistan,mainlyfromIranandPakistan.Manyofthesehavereturnedtodisplacement.Thenumberofpeoplewhoarecurrentlydisplacedbecauseofconflictornaturaldisasterisestimatedtobeatleast2million.2Returnsandinternaldisplacementputadditionalpressureoncommunitiessufferingfromanalreadystressedeconomyandinsufficientpublicservices.

Heratcityhasanestimated578,3053peoplelivingwithintheboundariesofits154municipaldistrictsorNahia.Ofthemunicipalland,36%isagricultural.5 Herat Province is home to an estimated 700,000 people,6andtheperi-urbanareahaseconomic,socialandenvironmentalinterdependencieswithHeratcity,thelocationofimportantinfrastructuresuchastheairportandindustrialpark.Theprovinceitselfismadeupof15districtsandanestimated245ruralvillages.7

Asof2016,morethanhalfofHerat’spopulationwasaged17oryounger,withthelargestportionofthepopulationaged0-4,at15.2%.8TheliteracyrateofHerat’spopulationaged10yearsandolderwas47.9%.9 In the same period 808,000people—33.4%ofHerat’spopulation—wereclassifiedasmigrantsfromotherareasofAfghanistan.10 In Heratcityitselfitisestimatedthat47%ofitspopulationweremigrantsin2016.11Serviceandsalesworkersaccountedforthehighestproportionofworkers,at22.9%.12

StrategicallylocatedclosetotheborderofIran,HeratisamongthemoreeconomicallyprosperousprovincesofAfghanistan,benefitingfromimportandexporttradewithIran,miningandmanufacturing,andtraditionalartisanalindustryrelatingtocarpets,glass,tile-makingandembroidery.13However,generalinsecurity—includingthethreatofkidnapping—hashadanegativeeffectonbusinessesandbusinessowners.14

1UNHCR,SolutionsStrategyforAfghanRefugees2018-2019,October2018,http://reporting.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/2018-2019%20Solutions%20Strategy%20for%20Afghan%20Refugees%20-%20October%202018.pdf 2 Ibid3AfghanistanStatisticalYearbook,2017-2018,IslamicRepublicofAfghanistanNationalStatisticsandInformationAuthority,http://cso.gov.af/Content/files/2096%لاس/یویئاصحا20%همانلاس/English%20Yearbook%201396-min%20(1).pdf p.5.4“MunicipalDistricts/Nahia,”Municipality,HeratMunicipalityIslamicRepublicofAfghanistan,accessedJune14,2019,http://herat-m.gov.af/en/page/6087/6113. 5BreakingtheRural-UrbanDivide,DiscussionPaper#1,SeriesTwo,January2016,UNHabitat,http://www.fukuoka.unhabitat.org/projects/afghanistan/pdf/DP1_English.pdf, p.2 6 Ibid 7 Ibid 8Socio-DemographicandEconomicSurvey2016–Herat,March2016,IslamicRepublicofAfghanistanCentralStatisticsOrganisation, https://afghanistan.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/SDES_HERAT_FINAL_ENG.pdf, p.1. 9 Ibid10 Ibid. p.29. 11AfghanistanKeySocio-EconomicIndicators:FocusonKabulCity,Mazar-eSharifandHeratCity,April2019,EuropeanAsylumSupportOffice,https://www.easo.europa.eu/sites/default/files/publications/EASO-COI-Afghanistan-KSEI-April-2019.pdf, p.15. 12Socio-DemographicandEconomicSurvey2016–Herat,p.43.13 Afghanistan Key Socio-Economic Indicators, p.29. 14 Ibid

http://reporting.unhcr.org/sites/default/files /2018-2019%20Solutions%20Strategy%20for%20Afghan%20Refugees%20-%20October%202018.pdf

http://reporting.unhcr.org/sites/default/files /2018-2019%20Solutions%20Strategy%20for%20Afghan%20Refugees%20-%20October%202018.pdf

http://cso.gov.af/Content/files/سالنامه%20احصائیوی/سال%2096/English%20Yearbook%201396-min%20(1).pdf

http://herat-m.gov.af/en/page/6087/6113

http://herat-m.gov.af/en/page/6087/6113

http://www.fukuoka.unhabitat.org/projects/afghanistan/pdf/DP1_English.pdf

http://www.fukuoka.unhabitat.org/projects/afghanistan/pdf/DP1_English.pdf

https://afghanistan.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/SDES_HERAT_FINAL_ENG.pdf

https://www.easo.europa.eu/sites/default/files/publications/EASO-COI-Afghanistan-KSEI-April-2019.pdf

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Ashosttoalmost30,000householdsdisplacedfromneighbouringprovinces,15Herathassomeofthehighestnumbersof displaced people in Afghanistan.Majorcausesofdisplacementarerelatedtoconflictand,toalesserextent,naturaldisasterssuchasfloodsanddroughts.WithinHeratmunicipalitythereareseverallong-standingIDPsettlements:Karizak, Minaret, Naw Abad, Police Station, Shaidayee and Maslakh.16IDPsfacesignificantissuesrelatingtopooraccesstobasicservices,severefoodinsecurity,insecuretenure,lackofjobsandpoorjobsecurity.17 Generally, IDPs are more likelytoliveinandaroundmajorcities,andanincreasingnumberofIDPscanbefoundlivingintheperi-urbanareassurroundingHeratcity.18

Objectives and Main Activities of the ProjectTheprojectaimstodevelopacomprehensivemulti-year,multi-sectorarearesponseplantoguidetheprogrammingandpolicyinterventionsofADSPmembers(DRC,IRC,NRC,andRI)andotherhumanitarianagencies,developmentandgovernmentpartners,inordertosupportearlyrecoveryofcommunitiesaffectedbydisplacementinHerat.

Theareaactionplanisbasedontheassessmentofthecurrentsituationinfourmainurbanandperi-urbanareasaffectedbydisplacementinHerat.Thedevelopmentoftheplanconsiderstheexistingobstaclesandopportunitiesthat will allow the transition from an emergency response to long-term recovery interventions.

Themulti-sectoractionplanincludesbothprogrammingandpolicyinterventionsthatcaneffectivelysupportearlyrecoveryandbuildcommunities’resiliencetoshockswhilesupportingIDPstoachievedurablesolutions.Thefullresearchmethodologyandtoolscanbefoundinanannexatwww.adsp.ngo, as can the complete data set

Notes on the Use of Key Terms in this ReportAfulllistofkeytermsrelevanttothestudyandtheirofficialdefinitioncanbefoundintheAnnexdocument.

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and economic migrants–InHerat,mostIDPsweredisplacedbecauseoftheeffectsofarmedconflictandnaturaldisaster(mostlydrought).Migrantsthatidentifythemselvesasmigratingforpureeconomicreasonsnotdirectlylinkedtonaturaldisastersandconflictarecategorisedaseconomicmigrantsinthereport.

Recent and protracted IDPs–Since,inkeepingwiththe‘earlyrecovery’timeframe,theresearchfocusisonthosedisplacedbetween6and36months,displacedpeopleareclassifiedas‘recent’whendisplacedforaperioduptothreeyearsand‘protracted’whentheyhavebeendisplacedforoverthreeyears.ItshouldbenotedthatUNHCRdefinesprotracteddisplacementsasdisplacementswhichhavelastoverfiveyears.19

15 DRC, Herat. 16ProfileandResponsePlanforProtractedIDPSettlementsinHerat,October2016,Inter-AgencyDurableSolutionsInitiative,http://www.globalprotectioncluster.org/_assets/files/field_protection_clusters/Afghanistan/files/HLP%20AoR/inter_agency_durable_solutions_report_herat_october_2016_en.pdf 17 Ibid. 18AgencyandChoiceAmongtheDisplaced:Returnees’andIDPs’choiceofdestinationinAfghanistan,2015,DACAAR/SamuelHall,https://www.dacaar.org/functions/publications/uploads/20180404070053DACAAR%20&%20SH%20Full%20Report%202015.pdf, p.11. 19UNHCR,‘ProtractedRefugeeSituations’,ExecutiveCommitteeoftheHighCommissioner’sProgramme,StandingCommittee,30thMeeting,UNDoc.EC/54/SC/CRP.14,10June2004,p.2.https://www.unhcr.org/40c982172.pdf

http://www.adsp.ngo

http://www.globalprotectioncluster.org/_assets/files/field_protection_clusters/Afghanistan/files/HLP

http://www.globalprotectioncluster.org/_assets/files/field_protection_clusters/Afghanistan/files/HLP

https://www.dacaar.org/functions/publications/uploads/20180404070053DACAAR%20&%20SH%20Full%20Report

https://www.dacaar.org/functions/publications/uploads/20180404070053DACAAR%20&%20SH%20Full%20Report

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Returnee–Whilethetermalsoappliestointernallydisplacedpersonswhoreturntotheirpreviousplaceofresidence,20 inthisreportthetermreturneeonlyappliestoformerrefugeeswhocamebacktoAfghanistan(voluntarilyornot).

Displaced person–Inthisreportthetermdisplacedappliestoallpeoplewhoidentifythemselvesasreturnees,IDPsor economic migrants.

Host community–Thistermappliestopeoplewhoidentifythemselvesasbeinglong-term/permanentresidentsintheircurrentplaceofabode.Theymayormaynotoriginallycomefromtheircurrentplaceofresidence,ortheymighthavebeenrefugeesbefore,buttheyhavebeenlivinginthisplaceforlongenoughtoidentifythemselvesaspermanentresidents.

20 http://reporting.unhcr.org/glossary

http://reporting.unhcr.org/glossary

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PART 2 – FINDINGSOverview of the Displacement ContextThissectionprovidesanoverviewofthecontextinwhichtheindicatorsweremeasured.Itcoversthelegal,social,andprogrammaticenvironmentwithinwhichthedisplacementtakesplaceandservesasareferencetobetterunderstandthebarriersorenablerstoprogressontheindicatorswhenassessedduringfutureiterationsofthestudy.Itdescribestheprofileofdisplacement-affectedcommunities,theprogrammaticresponsestodisplacement,andtheinteractionandperceptionofthevariousstakeholders(government,hostcommunities,displacedpopulation),analysingkeypolicydocumentsandquantitativeandqualitativedatacollectedunderthisstudy.

ImplementationoftheIDPpolicyandothersolution-orientedframeworks

The review of the legal and policy framework reveals that a strong vision, principles, and best practices are enshrined inacomprehensivelegalandpolicyframework,butthatthemechanismsforimplementingthisframeworkareweakorlacking,themonitoringsystemisnonexistent,andthecentralisednatureoftheAfghangovernancesystemslowsdowngood initiatives designed at the provincial level.

TheNationalPolicyonInternallyDisplacedPersons(IDPs) wasadoptedinNovember2013andlaunchedinFebruary2014.ThepolicyisanationalinstrumentdesignedtoprotecttherightsofthedisplacedAfghans,withtheMinistryofRefugeesandRepatriation,theOfficeoftheAdministrativeAffairsoftheCouncilofMinistersandotherrelevantministries and entities tasked with its implementation.21Accordingtothepolicy,aNationalImplementationPlanshouldbepreparedbyMoRRonanannualbasis,inadditiontoaProvincialActionPlans(PAP),thedevelopmentofwhichshouldbeledbyProvincialGovernors.22WhiletheHeratPAPwasthefirstinAfghanistantobedeveloped,theNationalImplementation Plan is still pending. This lack of national-level planning slowed down the implementation of the PAP in Herat,asthereisnonational-levelmechanismtosupportprovincialactionsormonitorimplementation.Toillustratethischallenge,theProvincialDirectorofMoRRinHeratreportedseveralactionswhichhavebeeninitiatedasaresultofthePAP,butwhicharenowwaitingforfurtheractiontobetakeninKabul,monthsoryearsafterrequestsweremadeby Herat provincial government.

Notwithstanding the existence of the PAP, it appears that provincial-level line ministries still lack awareness of the policy and, where they knowaboutitsexistance,theyfacedifficultiesdescribingitscontent.InterviewedkeyinformantswereabletodescribetheirprogrammaticapproachetorespondingtotheneedsofIDPsbutfailedlinktheirassistancetothewiderobjectiveslaidoutintheIDPPolicy

SomemeasuresofthePAPhavebeenimplemented,buttheimpactisnotdocumentedandimplementation is not properlymonitored,makingitdifficulttoassesstheprogressmadeorgapsthatremain.Thetwomainsuccessesrecordedintheinterviewsinclude(i)coverageofIDPcommunitiesbytheCitizens’CharterAfghanistanProgramme(CCAP),leadingtotheestablishmentofCommunityDevelopmentCouncils(CDC)inthesecommunitiesand(ii)theprovisionoffinancialsupportto3,000IDPfamilieswhoreturnedtotheirplaceoforigin.

21 National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons, p.4.22 http://reporting.unhcr.org/glossary

http://reporting.unhcr.org/glossary

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ManagingthetransitionbetweenthehumanitarianresponseandtheprovisionofsustainablesolutionsremainschallengingasitiscoordinatedbyaprovincialgovernmentrelyingalmostexclusivelyonthefundingreceivedbyNGOsfrom donors.

Asaresultofthelargenumbersofrefugeesreturningfromneighbouringcountries,anditswillingnesstoprovidedurablesolutionsfordisplacedpopulations,thegovernmentdraftedthePolicyFrameworkforReturneesandIDPsattheendof2016.ThePolicyFrameworkgovernshumanitariananddevelopmentassistance,andaimstobringaboutthetransitionfromhumanitarianassistancetodurablesolutionswitha“wholeofcommunity”approach.

AnewPresidentialDecreeonLandAllocation(Decree305)wasissuedinAugust2018,23 with the aim of improving the proceduretoallocatelandandhousingtothemostvulnerablereturnees,IDPs,andmartyrs’families.MostIDPsandreturneesarenotawareofthisdecree,thoughafewhaveheardofsuchameasure.Accordingtotwostakeholders,landparcelshavebeendistributedtoIDPs.ThegovernmentdistributedplotsbehindJoySultanitoIDPsfromShaidayeeinanefforttosettlethempermanently,butseveralkeyinformantsreportedthattheprocessisslowandcumbersome.Wherepossiblehumanitarianagenciescontinuetoprovidesomeemergencysupport,suchasmobleclinics,toIDPsintheircurrentsettlementswhiletheywaittobetransferredtothenewland.

Backgroundonthehostpopulation

Mosthostcommunitiesarepoor,lackresources,andhaveverylimitedjobopportunities.Theyliveinvillageswithpoorinfrastructureandrelymostlyonagriculture,usuallyworkingeitherinfarmingorlow-skilledjobs.Approximatelyonethirdofthesurveyedhostcommunitymembers(35%)reportbeingself-employedandanotherthird(33%)earntheirincomefromseasonaloroccasionalwork.Menworkonadailybasisonfarmsorinconstruction,womenweavecarpetsordocleaningtasks,and,insomecases,childrenhavetoworkaswell.Almosthalfofhostcommunityfamilies(49%)liveonlessthan5,000Afspermonth.Afurther39%liveonlessthan10,000Afspermonth.InHerat’spoorurbancommunities,somepeoplereportedlivingwith10Afsperdayandwhennecessarysellingwhattheypossesstosurvive.

Thesurveyrevealsthatoverallthemajority(74%)liveintheirownhouse.However,amajorityofpeopleinterviewedinRobatKablyaandRubatSulaimanreportedlivinginrentedhouses,sometimesofavernacularvariety.InHerat‘sPD6district,thehostcommunitylacksbasicgoodsandservicesandexperiencesfoodshortagesandbarrierstoaccessingwater. In addition, there is neither a school nor a hospital in their village.

“We have weak electricity in our village. We have water, but we have half asphalted streets in our village. Our people work in the agricultural sector or as a daily labourer.” Female host community member, Ordobagh

23ItreplacesthePresidentialDecreeonLandDistributionforHousingtoEligibleReturneesandIDPs(Decree104)thatwaspassedIn 2005.

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Backgroundonthedisplacedpopulation 55%ofthedisplacedpersonssurveyedhavebeenlivinginthethetargetedcommunitiesforaperiodoflessthanthreeyears24and45%havebeenthereforlonger.TherecentlydisplacedwhoweresurveyedhavesettledmainlyinGuzaraandInjilperi-urbanareas,whilethosewhohavebeeninHeratlongeraremainlysettledintheurbanareas.HalftheIDPs(51%)comefromotherdistrictsinHerat,whiletherestcomefromBadghis(22%)andGhor(13%),withasmallproportionfromFaryab(4%)andFarah(2%).VeryfewhavemigratedfromKabulandeasternAfghanistan.ThemajorityofreturneescomefromIran.Halfthedisplacedpeople(total51%,respectively61%oftherecentIDPsand41%oftheprotractedIDPs)25lefttheirareaoforiginbecauseofinsecurityandtheactivepresenceofinsurgents.Thesecondmajorcauseofdisplacementwasalackofemploymentandeconomicopportunities,withonequarterofIDPs(17%oftherecentand36%oftheprotracted)statingthatthiswasthereasonforleavingtheirvillage.Peoplewerealsodisplacedbecauseofnaturaldisasterssuchasdroughtorflooding,althoughinsmallerproportion(intotal16%,19%oftherecentand14%oftheprotracteddisplaced).Itshouldbenotedthatinruralcommunities,naturaldisasterssuchasdroughthaveanimpactoneconomicwell-being,andthereforetheseresultsmaybeconflated.

IDPsandreturneeswerepoorpeopleintheirareaoforiginanddisplacementhasexacerbatedtheirpoverty.Manyworkedintheagriculturesectorbeforedisplacementandthuspossessnospecificskillsotherthanthoserelatedtofarming.Fewpeoplereportedowninglandintheirareaoforigin.Displacedpeopledidnotbringmuchwiththemwhentheylefttheirhomesandreportednotowninganyvaluableassetswhichcouldbeusedtore-establishtheirlivelihoodsin displacement.

TheoverwhelmingmajorityofIDPs—whetherrecent(91%)orprotracted(93%)—wanttostayinHerat.TheIDPsinterviewedexplainedthiswasduetobetterlivingconditionsthanthoseavailableintheirhomeareas.Insecurityandlackoflivelihoodopportunitiesand/orinfrastructureintheplaceoforiginarereportedasthemajorobstaclestoreturn.IDPswhohavelostharvestsandlivestockbecauseofdroughthavenothingtoreturnto.

“We want to live here. We hope to obtain a land parcel to build a home for ourselves here, because our village is insecure.” Female IDP, Urd Baq

Response to forced displacement

ManyNGOsandUNagencieshaveprovidedassistancetoIDPs.GovernmentinstitutionssuchastheDirectorateofPublicHealth,theDirectorateofEducation,theDirectorateofRuralRehabilitationandDevelopment,andtheNationalDisasterManagementAuthorityalsosupporteddisplacedcommunities.However,theyusuallyprovideassistancethrough,orinpartnershipwith,UNagenciesandNGOs.Theprivatesectorisnotinvolvedintheresponsetodisplacement. Interventionshave,however,focusedonemergencyresponse,havebeenlimitedintime,andmainlytargedtheIDPsettlements.Inthemeantime,therehasnotbeenmuchattentiononbuildingtheresilienceofcommunitiesandsupportingIDPsintheachievementofdurablesolutions.AccordingtoOCHA,emergencyprogrammesendedinJune

24 In this report they are considered recently displaced, while those who have been displaced in Herat for more than three years are considered protracted25Seep.11forthedefinitionofrecentandprotracteddisplacement.

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2019andtheyhavenotbeenreplacedbyprogrammesfocusingonlonger-termassistance.However,therehavebeen a few TVET programmes in Gabriel, Kodistan, Maslakh, Shogofan and Shaidayee that have been implemented by NGOsandoneprogrammerunbytheMinistryofSocialAffairs.IDPslivingoutsideofmainIDPsettlementsandhostingcommunitieshavenotreceivedsupporttofosterresilience.Inaddition,programmesencouragingandsupportingIDPs’returntotheirareaoforiginareextremelylimitedandmostpeopleremaindisplaced.

ThegovernmentconsidersreturntobethemainsolutionforIDPs.AccordingtotheHeratDoRR,aprogrammecalled“returnwithhonour”hasbeenplannedtoassist3,000IDPstoreturntotheirareaoforigin,giving20,000Afghanistoeachreturningfamily.InFebruary2019,OCHAnotifiedIDPsthatassistanceintheareaofdisplacementwouldstopinJune,butthattheywouldbeprovidedwithfoodandhealthservicesintheirareaoforiginiftheyreturned.However,thisofferdidnotconstituteasufficientincentivefordisplacedpeopletoreturn.Whilethegovernmenthintsthatitintendstoprovidedevelopmentprojectsinareasoforigin,themeansandconcreteplansforthisremainunclear.Inthemeantime,someNGOshavelaunchedprojectsinareasoforigintofosterreturn.

ProvincialauthoritieshavealsotriedtofindsuitablelocationswhereIDPscouldsettleinHerat.Theyhaveidentifiedareaswherethereisnolandconflictwiththehostcommunity,allowingIDPstosettlethereforanundeterminedduration.Bygatheringdisplacedpeopleinthesamelocation,authoritiesaimtomaximisetheoutreachofassistanceandimproveaccesstoservices.Atthetimeofthisstudy,however,therelocationplanhadyettobefinalised.

In the absence of NGO or government service provision, Wakil-i-gozars26 have been the primary providers of basic assistancetoIDPsandreturnees.Inseveralinstancesitwasreportedthattheyfoundroomsfordisplacedfamilies,sometimesintheirownhouses,andgavethemfoodororganisedfooddonationsamongthehostcommunity.WhiletheWakil-i-gozarareperceivedpositivelybyIDPsandreturnees,whoseethemasveryhelpfulandreadytosolvetheirproblems,theycannotassistdisplacedpeoplefurtherandcertainlydonothavethecapacitytoprovidelong-termsolutions.Theyhaveverylimitedresourcesandarenotalwaysabletoaddresstheirownneeds,letalonetheneedsofothers.

IDPshaveconsultedtheCommunityDevelopmentCouncils(CDC),whichhaveoftenbeenachanneltoconveycomplaints,buthavenotbeenactiveinsupportingresilienceandsolutions.

“I am happy with the current situation. People are nice. The Wakil is a very nice person and he protects us against the government. But if my homeland becomes secure again, I will return.” Male IDP, Shalbafan

“The head of the council gave IDPs food and rooms in his house where they could stay for several days.” Female host community member, Herat PD 6

Funding

Governmentpartnerscomplainaboutnothavingenoughfundseitherforemergencyorrecoveryactivities.Informationaboutfundingwasnotsharedbytherespondents.

26Wakil-i-gozaristherepresentativesatthegozarlevel,thesub-districtdivisioninamunicipality.

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PublicAttitude

Analysisofthequalitativedatashowsthat,overall,grassrootsgovernancemechanismshaveplayedapositiverole in containingconflictsortensionsandinfacilitatingdialogue,understandingandsupportbetweendisplacedandhostcommunities.ThegovernmentandNGOsseemtohavehadaneutralroleinthisregard,avoidingdoingharmwhiledelivering their interventions.

Displacedcommunities’attitudestowardgovernmentandhostcommunitiesaregood.DisplacedpeopleexpresssatisfactionregardingtheattitudeofWakilsorShuraleadersandfeelthattheyhave,atleast,beenlistenedto.However, there have been reports of local actors attempting to take advantage of projects targeting IDPs, and cases of nepotism.Insomecases,IDPshaveaccusedCDCmembersofgivingassistancemeantforIDPstotheirconstituency.Nevertheless,displacedpeoplearelargelysatisfiedwiththehostcommunity.Oneofthereasonswhytheywanttosettleisbecausetheyfeelcomfortableamongthem.

HostcommunitiesalsoappeartobeopenandtolerantwithIDPs.Co-existencehasgenerallybeenpeaceful,althoughwithsomenotableexceptions,andhostcommunitieshavedisplayedasenseofsolidarity,especiallyduringtheemergencyphase.Forexample,hostcommunitiessupportedIDPsbygivingthemfood.However,theyareconcernedthatifIDPscontinuetoreceiveassistanceinHeratbeyondtheinitialperiodofcrisis,itwilldeterthemfromreturninghome.

Despitethegenerallypositivepicture,therehavebeensomeinstancesoftensionbetweenthecommunities,particularlyinpoorerareassuchasHerat’sPD6district,wherethepresenceofdisplaced people has posed a challengetothehostcommunity.TheyperceivetheprovisionofaidtoIDPsasunfair,andprovidedaccordingtostatus,notneeds.Whilehostcommunitymembersfacecomparablepoverty-relatedchallenges,theyarguethattheydonotbenefitfromthesamelevelofassistanceasIDPs.IDPpresenceonhostcommunitylandwasalsoidentifiedasanothersourceoftension.Insomecases,suchasinKhadistanareaofInjil,IDPssettledonprivatelandwereforcedbythelandownerstorelocatetootherareas,suchasSharak-e-Sabz.AccordingtotheProvincialDirectorateofRefugeesandRepatriation,273,000Jeribs28oflandbelongingtotheHeratDirectorateofHajjandReligiousAffairshasbeenidentifiedtoaccommodatesome15,000familiesofreturneesandIDPsforaperiodoffiveyears.ApprovaliscurrentlypendingfromKabul.

Crimehasalsotriggeredtensionbetweenthegroups,withhostcommunitiesarguingthatlevelsofthefthaveincreasedsinceIDPs/returneesarrivedintheirareas.Theyaccusedisplacedpeopleofbeingresponsibleforthisincrease.InShaidayee,hostcommunitymembersfeltthatsecurityhaddeterioratedfollowingtheirarrival.Somereportedareductioninthevalueoftheirlandandhouses,whichhasledtodemonstrationsinfrontoftheGovernor’soffice.29

“Since the IDPs arrived to Herat province, neither the government nor humanitarian organisations have paid attention to the host community population.” Wakil-i-gozar in PD 6

Also,occasionaltensionshaveoccurredwhenIDPswerenotsatisfiedwiththeassistanceprovidedbyNGOs.Thistensionhasperiodicallyresultedinthesuspensionofoperations.

27 IDI with Head of DoRR in Herat 28Jeribisatraditionalunitoflandmeasurementequivalentto0.2hectare29 KII with DRC Provincial Manager in Herat

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Physical, Material, and Legal Safety Thissectionreviews27keyindicators,groupedunderthreecategories,aspresentedinthescoringmatrix(seeAnnexF).Themeasurementforeachindicatorisgenerallydonethroughamixofqualitativeandquantitativedata,exceptfor10indicatorsthatcouldnotbemeasuredquantitatively.The27indicatorsserveasproxiesfortheissueunderconsideration,andaresupplementedwithkeydatafromtheadditionalindicatorsmeasuredduringdatacollection.Readerswishingtoreviewthefulldatasetfromwhichthefindingsweredrawnshouldvisitwww.adsp.ngo.

Physical Safety Existence of physical, psychological or sexual violence

Quantitative proxy indicator: percentage of population that is aware of cases of physical, sexual or psychological violence

Ingeneral,IDPs/returneesfeelsafe,andonlyafewreportedhavingexperienceddirectphysicalorpsychologicalviolence.Onaverage,levelsofviolenceexperiencedbyIDPsdoesnotdifferfromthoseexperiencedbythehostcommunity.However,recentIDPsweremorelikelytoreportphysicalviolence.TherehavebeensomereportsoftensionsamongIDPs,occasionalpersonalfeudsandintwocasesIDPswerekilledinunclearcircumstances.Thefeelingofsafetyishigherinperi-urbanareas(79%)thaninthecity(71%),wheremeninparticularfeelmoreunsafe,atrendalsoseenwithinhostcommunities.

Fromthequalitativedata,itemergesthatthemainprotectionconcernsareearlyandforcedmarriagesandchildlabour,practiceswhicharewidespread.WhilebothissuesarecommoninAfghanistantheyaremostlikelyexacerbatedby poverty in the displacement context. In addition, displaced women are more likely to experience psychological and verbalviolence.Casesofgender-basedviolence(GBV),includingrapeandfamilyviolenceinsidesettlements,havebeenreportedininterviewsandFGDs.Thesesameinterviewsanddiscussionshighlightedthatsuchincidentsaremostlikelyunderreported,probablyforfearofrepercussions.

Restriction of movementQuantitative proxy indicator: percentage of population who report being able to move freely in the community most of the time

Onaverage,IDPsreportthesameleveloffreedomofmovementashostcommunitymembers.Womenreportfewerrestrictionsonfreedomofmovementthanmen,butitcanbeassumedthisisbecause,theirmovementsarelimitedby

Displaced Host Community

Recent ProtractedMale 16% 11% 16%Female 17% 11% 16%



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theirfamilyandtheythusrarelyexperienceexternalrestrictions.Onthecontrary,mencarryoutmostresponsibilitiesrequiringexternalmovement,andaremorelikelyexperiencelimitationsplacedonthembyexternalfactors.Thequalitativedatahighlightthatnorestrictionofmovementisimposedbygovernmentauthoritiesorlocalpowerbrokers,sorestrictionsofmovementaremostlyduetoinsecurity(whetherrealorperceived)oreconomicconstraints.

Safety and security Quantitative proxy indicator: percentage of population who feel safe in the community most of the time

Quantitative proxy indicator: percentage of population who trust the police

Mostpeople,whetherdisplacedorhost,feelsafeintheircommunities,andmorethanhalfofthepopulationtrustthatthelocalpolicecanprotectthem.Bothdisplacedpeople(57%)andhostcommunities(55%)trustthepolicetoasimilarextent.Residents’trustinthepoliceishigherinurbanareas(62%)comparedtoperi-urbanareas(49%).

Thequalitativedatarevealthat,overall,peoplefeelsafe.Althoughtheygenerallythinkthatthepolicefulfiltheirroleinensuringsecurity,respondentssharedcriticismsoftheANPhighlighting,amongotherthings,theirlackofprofessionalism,theirdelayinaddressingincidents,andthefactthattheirnumbersaretoolimitedforthemtofulfiltheir responsibilities.

Social cohesion Qualitative proxy indicator: existence of forms of discrimination in regard to physical, material and legal safety

IDPsdonotcomplainaboutdiscriminativepractices,butdiscussionswithhostcommunitymembersshowthatIDPsaresometimesnegativelyperceivedbecauseoftheirsocio-economicbackground,lackofeducation,anddifferencesinlanguageandcustoms.Suchnegativeperceptionmayresultindiscrimination.Insomeinstances,thehostcommunitypopulationpreventedIDPsfromaccessingservicesforfearofshortage,suchasaccesstohealthservices.Government


Discrimination exists with regard to physical, material or legal safety. There are very few measuresinplaceand/orfewactionstakentopreventand/ormitigatediscriminations

There is generally no discrimination with regard to physical, material and legal safety.





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institutionsseemunabletoaddressdiscriminatorypracticesastheyarereportedtobecorruptandunable-orunwilling-toservethewholepopulationequally.

Opportunities,obstaclesandsuggestionsforengagement:physicalsafety

NGOsreportthatorganisationsandstructuressuchasclusters,workinggroupsandreferralmechanismsexistandshouldbeabletoaddresscasesofgender-basedviolence. However, coordination among actors is reported as a challenge.Thepoliceforceispresentandahotlineisavailable,shouldpeoplecall.However,the main challenge remainsthegenerallackofeducationandknowledgeofhowtoaddresssuchsensitiveissues,as well as an absence oftrustamongstthosewhowouldreportcasesofviolence,allofwhichcontributetoapresumedunderreportingofincidents.

TheIDPPolicydoescontainsomemeasuresdesignedtoimproveIDPs’physicalsafety.AccordingtoArticle7.1.1ofthe IDPPolicy,“theMoI,incoordinationwithMoRR,willensurethatspecialmeasures(e.g.24hourhotlinenumbers,specialpolicepatrols)areimplementedwhencircumstancesrequire...;andtherearefamilycaseunits(authorisedtoregisteranddiscussthefamilyviolencecasesincludingrape,forcedandchildmarriages)inpolicestationsinareaswherethereareconcentrationsofIDPs,andmeasuresaretakentoraisepublicawareness,includingamongIDPs,ontheexistenceoftheseunits.”However,people’slimitedlevelsoftrustinthepoliceforcedoesposeanobstacletothesuccessfulimplementationofthefamilycaseunits.Additionally,alackofcivildocumentation,includingmarriagecertificates,mightalsocontributetotheunwillingnessofsomeofthevictimstoreportcasesorseekjustice.

Partnersinvolvedinthedevelopmentofthearea-basedactionplansshouldthereforestrengthentheirprotectionactivities,includingworkingmorecloselywithcommunitiesandpromotinggreaterawarenessofrights,andtheserviceswhichareavailabletosupportpeopletoavailofthoserights.KeyactivitieswouldalsosupporteducationonthepreventionofGBV,andwouldfosteranenvironmentinwhichsurvivorsfeltcomfortabletoreportanyabuses.GBVreferralmechanismsshouldbestrengthened,providingadequatesupporttoallapectsofthereferralpathways.Actorsshouldalsoensurethatproperfollowupiscarriedout,andthatsurvivorshaveaccesstothespecialisedservicestheyrequire.ThereisalsoasignificantneedtobuildthecapacityofthepolicetomanageandinvestigateGBVcasesandotherrightsviolations,andtobuildtrustbetweenthepoliceserviceandthecommunitythattheyserve.

Tofurtherbuildontheeffortmadebysomecommunityrepresentatives,CDCscouldbemobilisedtofostersocialcohesionbetweenthegroupsandmitigatetheriskofconflict.Thiscouldbedone,forinstance,byincludingrepresentativesofvulnerablegroupsindevelopmentsub-committees,toensurethatprojectsprioritisetheneedsofvulnerableresidents,withanequalfocusontheneedsofhostandIDPcommunities.HumanitariananddevelopmentagenciesshouldthusworkthroughCDCs(ormorespecificallythesub-committees)whendesigningandimplementingprojects.CDCswillalsobeinvolvedinresolvingconflictsarisingfromprojectdelivery.Properconflictanalysismustbecarriedouttoensurethatanyprogrammingintroducedbygovernment,NGOsandUNisconflictsensitiveandaddressespotentialandexistingconflicts.

Material Safety

Access to basic services

EmergencyprogrammesdesignedforIDPs—especiallyrelatedtofood,shelterandcashdistribution—endedinJune2019butprovisionofsomeservices,suchashealthcareandeducation,continuesincertainareas.

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Whiledisplacedpeopleinsettlementsreportedlyhaveaccesstobasicservices,IDPs/returneesandvillageleadersinbothurbanandperi-urbanareasoverwhelminglyreportalackofassistanceandaverylimitedaccesstobasicservices.Amongthelocalitiessurveyed,onlyfourvillagesreporthavingreceivedsomekindofassistancefromNGOsorUNagencies:twoinPD7districtandtwoinGuzaradistrict.

“We don’t have anything. We don’t have the things that you need when you’re displaced, such as shelter, basic goods, electricity, water. People who are living here are not rich enough to help us.” Male IDP, Herat PD 6

Foodconsumption

Quantitative proxy indicator: percentage of population who experience hunger30

Basedonthesurvey,lackoffoodisthemostacuteissueinIDPcommunities.FoodshortagesaffectalargenumberofIDPs/returneesand,toalesserextent,hostcommunities.AthirdofhostcommunitymembersandtwothirdsofIDPs(66%)arehungryatleastonceaweek,including13%whoarehungrymorethanonceaday.Displacedpeoplearethreetimesmorelikelythanhostcommunitymemberstoexperiencehungermorethanonceaday.AhigherproportionofrecentIDPsfacefoodshortagescomparedtoprotractedIDPs.Women,whetherIDPsorhostcommunitymembers,arealsomoreaffectedbyanacutelackoffood.19%ofrecentfemaleIDPsarehungrymorethanonceaday,comparedto7%ofrecentmaleIDPs.Similarly,8%offemalehostcommunitymembersreportthattheyarehungrymorethanonceaday,against1.5%ofmalehostcommunitymembers.FemaleIDPsinGuzaraandallwomeninHeratPD7facehigherlevelsoffoodshortages(onceadayormorethanonceaday).However,thesefiguresmaynottellthefullstory.TherepresentativeoftheMoPHinterviewedinHeratpointedoutthat,whilepartofthepopulationmightnotreporthunger,theirdietofbreadandteamayleavethemdeprivedofessentialnutrients.MalnutritionhasemergedamongIDPchildrenasparentsoftencannotbuynutritiousfood.31

Basedonthequalitativedata,itappearsthatfoodshortagesarecausedbypovertyandunemploymentandarethereforemoresevereinthewinter,whenopportunitiesfordailylabourarescarce.Poorpeopleprioritiseexpensessuchasrent,andmayhavenomoneylefttobuyproperfood.WFP,NRCandIRChaveoccasionallydistributedfoodpackagesandvoucherstoIDPsregisteredwithWFP,butsuchactivitieswereneverintendedtoprovidelong-termsupport.

“Our stomachs are growling, even right now. In the worst day, we didn’t have food for three consecutive days.”Female IDP in PD 6

30 The percentages in the table aggregate respondents who selected one of the three following options: once or a few times a week, everyday,severaltimesaday,tothequestion:Howoftenareyouhungryandyoudon’thavefoodtoeat?31KIIwiththeDeputyEPHSattheProvincialDirectorateofMoPHinHeratprovince



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“If I find a job here and there, I would only get about 500 to 1000 Afghanis and that would go for the rent. Therefore, there is no money left for us at the end of the day.” Male IDP, Urdobagh

“We cannot say we are not faced with shortage of food, but it is not that common like in IDP camps. Shortage of food occurs in winter, when we spend most of the money on other necessities.”Male IDP, Shalbafan, PD7

Adequatehousingconditions

Quantitative proxy indicator: percentage of population that have access to durable housing32

TherearemarkeddifferencesinaccesstohousingbetweenIDPandhostcommunities.OnethirdofIDPsliveinrentedhouses,whichmaybemadeofmud,oftensharingwithotherfamilies,while19%liveintentsand12%livewiththeirrelatives.Thisstandsinsharpcontrasttothesituationforhostcommunitymembers,ofwhom80%liveintheirownhousesandonly12%liveinrentedhouses.ThesurveyshowsthatprotractedIDPshavemoresecureaccesstohousingthanrecentIDPs,withahigherproportionowiningtheirownhouses.Thirty-fivepercentofrecentIDPsliveintentswhile none of the protracted IDPs do.

Interviewsprovidedmoredetailsonthelivingconditionsofdisplacedfamilies.Often,displacedpeoplecanonlyafforddamagedbuildings,withoutwindowsorceilings.AfewreturneesfromIranwereabletobuildtheirownhouses.Inthemost extreme cases, displaced families do not have shelter and live in the street.

Thisindicatoralsofeaturesasharpurban/peri-urbandivide:themajorityofrecentIDPsliveinatentinGuzara(67%)andinInjil(50%)whilenoneoftheIDPsdoinPD6andPD7.InGuzaraandInjildistricts,thegovernmentdistributedlandtoIDPsbutwithoutthefinancialresourcestobuildahousetheycontinuetoliveintents.Theproportionofdisplacedandhostcommunitymembersrentinghousesismuchhigherinurbanareasthaninperi-urban.MeanwhilehostcommunitymembersandprotractedIDPslivinginGuzaradistrictaremorelikelytoownahouse.Forinstance,78%ofprotractedIDPsownahouseinGuzaradistrictandonly8%liveinarentedhouse,whileinHeratPD7,46%ownahouseand40%liveinarentedhouse,whichamountstoa32-percentagepointdifference.

“Our house doesn’t have a door. We hung a curtain to replace the door. We can barely live there and we have many problems. Our rent is 500 Afs to 1000 Afs a month.” Male IDP, Urdo Bagh, Guzara district

32Forthepurposeofthisresearch,andinlinewithIASCindicators,thefollowingcriterionwasusedtodeterminethedurabilityofdwellings:permanencyofstructure(permanentbuildingmaterialforthewalls,roofandfloor).Thepercentagesinthetableaggregaterespondentswhoselectedoneofthefollowingoptions:rentedhouse,orown/familyhouse,tothequestion:Wheredoyouandyourfamilylive?


Recent ProtractedMale 46% 89% 93.5%Female 55% 83% 90%

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“We don’t have our own house or garden to work on. We have a mud house and we pay rent for that.” Male IDP, Herat PD 6

Safe drinking water

Quantitative proxy indicator: percentage of population that have access to safe drinking water

WhilethemajorityofIDPshaveaccesstosafedrinkingwater,thereisan18-percentagepointdifferencebetweentheiraccessandthatofthehostcommunity.OnethirdofIDPsusepublictapsorstandpipes,15%useboreholesortubewells,and14%protecteddugwells.Importantly,15%ofIDPsgetunsafewaterfromunprotectedsources,whetherunprotectedwellsorsprings.

DifferencesalsoexistbetweenprotractedandrecentIDPs.Theformertendtousemoreprotecteddugwells, while the laterusepublictapsorstandpipes.Inurbanareas,publictapsorstandpipesareusedby25%moreofthedisplacedpopulationthaninperi-urbanareas.InGuzaradistrict,recentIDPsusecomparativelymoreprotecteddugwells,whileinInjilIDPsusemoreunprotecteddugwells,showingthattheneedforsafedrinkingwateristhehighestforIDPsinInjil.

TheDirectorateofRuralRehabilitationandDevelopment,withthesupportofUNICEFandNGOs,hasprovidedwaterservicestodisplacedpeopleinsomeareas,suchasinShaidayee,whereUNICEFpaidtoinstallpipes.Despiteafewreportsofshortagesanduncleanwater,waterisoneoftheservicesthatbothdisplacedpeopleandhostcommunityhavethebestaccesstoinmosturbanandperi-urbanareas.

Thequalitativedatafurtherexplainthat,eventhoughthereispipedwaterinhousesacrossseveralvillages,somefamiliescannotbenefitfromitbecauseitisexpensiveoronlyavailableforafewhoursaday.Runningtapwaterrequireselectricitytofunction,implyingadditionalcostsforelectricity.Altogether,itamountsto400to2,000Afghanispermonthdependingonthesizeofthefamily.Therefore,somefamiliescannotaffordtheserviceandtheirwatergetscutoff.Insuchcases,theyusewellsorgettheirsupplyatthemosque.SomeIDPspointedoutthattheywouldprefertousewaterfromawellequippedwithasolarpanel,ratherthanpipedwater,toavoidtheassociatedelectricitycosts.

“We do not have piped water here as we cannot afford it. We have to find a different source and bring water. They cut our pipe as we did not have money to pay the water bills.”Female IDP in Urdobagh

Access to sanitation

Quantitative proxy indicator: percentage of population that have access to adequate sanitation





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Whether in settlements or in villages, IDPs have access to washrooms and latrines. In the overwhelming majority, both displacedandhostfamilieshavetheirownfacilitiesandveryfewsharewithotherfamiliesorhouseholds,thoughthereisa14-percentagepointdifferencebetweengroups.ThesanitationfacilitiesaccessiblefortheprotracteddisplacedinHeratappeartobesimilartothoseavailabletothehostcommunity.Ninety-onepercentofprotractedIDPfamilieshavetheirownfacilitiescomparedwith65%ofrecentIDPs.RecentIDPsmorefrequentlysharetoiletswithotherfamiliesorhouseholdsinsidethecompound.InGuzaradistrict,bothIDPsandhostcommunitieshavelessaccesstosanitationcomparedtotheotherareas.Furthermore,thereisaclearurban/peri-urbandivideregardinguseoffamilytoiletsashostcommunitymembersandIDPsalmostexclusivelyusefamilytoiletsinHeratPD6andPD7.

Availability and access to health services

Quantitative proxy indicator: percentage of population that have access to health services33

Thevastmajorityofpeoplesurveyedlivewithinanhourofahospital.WhileIDPsreportbeingfurtherawayfromhospitalthanhostcommunities,thedifferenceprobablyresultsfromalackofknowledgeoftheclosesthealthfacilityonthepartofrecentlyarrivedIDPs.Still,55%ofIDPsandhostcommunityalikereportexperiencingsomekindofissueaccessing health care.

Inqualitativeinterviewsitwasconfirmedthat,insettlementssuchasShaidayee,displacedpeoplehaveaccesstohealth centres and some mobile clinics that operate inside the settlement as well as in a few remote areas. IDPs and hostcommunitieslivinginsmallvillagesreportthattheydonothavedirectaccesstohealthfacilities.Privatedoctorsprovideservicesinvillages,butdisplacedpeoplegenerallycannotaffordtheseservices.Therefore,inordertoaccesshealthcare,theyareobligedtogotothenearestcentre,upto5kilometresaway.Ingeneral,displacedpeopledonothaveaccesstofacilitieswhichcantreatcomplexhealthissues,andneedtobereferredtoamoredistanthospital.The cost of transportation to the hospital is a barrier to healthcare for poor people in both the host and displaced communities.

“We don’t have a hospital here. About 8,000 families live here without a health centre. We need to pay 100 Afs to go to the nearest hospital by taxi.” Host community male member, Herat PD 7

“We have one doctor here, but that is private one and we do not have any public hospital here. If you can afford the private doctor, you have access to health care.” Female IDP, Urdo Bagh, Guzara district

33Notethatthediscrepanciesbetweenmenandwomenisusualwithquestionsrelatingtodistanceortime.Womenareusuallylesseducatedandlessexposedtoinformationthanmen,andtendtofacedifficultiesinrespondingtosuchquestions.Inaddition,healthservicesmightbeunderstooddifferentlybetweenmenandwomen,dependingontheirspecificneeds.Finally,itispossiblethatrecentfemaleIDPsarestillunawareofwhereservicesarelocated,hencethegreatergenderdiscrepancyinthegroupofrecentlydisplacedhouseholds.



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Availabilityandaccesstoprimaryandsecondaryeducation

Quantitative proxy indicator: percentage of children that have access to schools (aggregation of primary and secondary school attendance)

ClasseshavebeenestablishedforIDPsandreturneesbytheMinistryofEducation,withthesupportofUNICEF,WorldVisionandNRC,inmainsettlementssuchasShaidayee.Still,alargeportionofschool-agedchildren(6-18year-old)amongrecentlydisplacedcommunitiesdonotattendschool(over50%ofgirlsand43%ofboys).DifferencescanbefoundbetweenrecentIDPsandallothergroups,aswellasbetweengirlsandboysamongdisplacedpeople.Thereisnoapparentgendergapwithinthehostcommunity.

AccordingtoFGDs,displacedpeoplefacedifficultiesaccessingschools,eveninurbanareas,becausetherearenotalwaysschoolsclosetowheretheylive,suchasontheoutskirtsofthecityinPD7,orinperi-urbanareas.Parentsareoftenreluctanttoseetheirschool-agechildrenwalklongdistances,fearingfortheirsafety.Thisisparticularlythecaseforgirls,withfamilieskeepingthemfromschoolinordertoavoidlong,andpotentiallydangerous,journeys.

Inaddition,schoolsoftendonothavethecapacitytoaccommodateallthestudentswhoseektoaccesseducation.Childrenhavetostudyunderatentandclassesmayoperateuptofourshiftsaday.Forinstance,inShalbafan,PD7district, there are as many as 4,500 boys and almost as many girls who attend the only existing school.34 Moreover, a shortageofteachers,absenteeismandlackofstudymaterialsconstituteadditionalobstaclestotheprovisionofeducation.Hostcommunitiesanddisplacedpeopleequallyaffectedandbothurbanandperi-urbanareasfacethesamedifficulties.Accordingtoquantitativedata,regardlessofthelocation,childlabourisamajorobstacletoeducationacrossallgroups,withalmostoneoutofeverythreeboysbelowtheageof15workinginsteadofgoingtoschool.Whilefarfewergirlsarereportedtobeworking,inreality,girlsareoftenexpectedtododomesticlabourwhichfamiliesmaynotconsiderwork.Ifthiswascounted,theproportionofgirlsnotgoingtoschoolinordertofulfilthesetasksislikelytoappearhigher.

Inaddition,somechildrencannotregisterwithschoolsbecausetheydonothavevalididentificationdocuments.Displacedparents’perceptionthattheyareonlysettledforashortperiodoftimedetersthemfromundertakingtheadministrative tasks necessary to register their children in school.

“I have a seven-year-old daughter and I wanted to send her to school but since school is very far, I did not. If we had a school in our village, I would send her to school.” Male host community member, Herat PD 6

34Key Informant Interview with the Wakil-i-Gozar of Shalbafan



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“There is primary and secondary school. It was built 25 years ago for 200 students. But now there are 4,000 boys and girls studying there. A second school was built by an NGO. Still, there are twelve classrooms and students are studying in three shifts.” Community leader, Karizak

Existenceandaccesstosafetynets/socialprotectionprogrammes

Qualitative proxy indicator: existence and access to safety net/social protection programmes

KeyinformantsreporttheexistenceofafewprojectsinHerattargetingIDPs,especiallywidows,duringwintertoallowthemtobuyfood.Theseinterventionsare,however,timelimitedandnopovertyreductionorsafetynetprogrammesappeared to be implemented in the area at the time of the assessment.

Access to employment and job creation

Market accessibility

Qualitative proxy indicator: access to markets

According to most respondents in FGDs, there are markets in many areas where displaced people live. They can buyandsellproducts,whichprovidesthemwithasmallincome,buttheexistenceofmarketsisnotsystematic.Forinstance,inShalbafanandavillageinUrduBagh,thereisnomarket.Opportunitiestoworkarelimited,inparticularinperi-urbanareaswherepeoplehavetocommutetothecentreofthecitytofindajob.

“We do not have a market in our village. There is no opportunity for employment or establishment of business in our area.” Female IDP, Urdo Bagh, Guzara district


There are no safety net programmes There are no safety net programmes


There are a few markets in the neighbourhoodbutopportunitiesforgenerating income are limited

There are a few markets in the neighbourhoodbutopportunitiesforgenerating income are limited

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AccesstoTVETopportunities

Qualitative proxy indicator: access to TVET opportunities

TherehavebeensomeTVETprogrammesinHeratinareasaffectedbydisplacement,suchasinGabriel,Kodistan,Maslakh, Shogofan, and Shaidayee. However, with the exception of Shaidayee, none of the respondents in the other locationswherethequalitativedatawascollectedreportedhavingbenefitedfromTVETprogrammes.

TheTVETprogrammesw=eofferedfocusedonsewingandtailoring,butalsocoveredpoultry-raising,entrepreneurship,andthecreationofsmallbusinessesandgreenhouses.Reportedly,programmesimplementedbyNGOsfocusedonIDPs,whileprogrammesimplementedbythegovernmentincludedthehostcommunity.Theskillsprovided, however, do not always allow people to generate an income and respondents acknowledge the need for more marketable skills.

“There are no vocational training programmes here. There is not even a sewing course allowing ladies to participate and learn this skill.” Female IDP, Herat PD 7

Existence of legal or administrative obstacles to economic activities

Qualitative proxy indicator: existence of legal or administrative obstacles to access employment and self-employment

Qualitativedatashowthatthemainobstacletoeconomicactivitiesislinkedtoaccesstocredit,asIDPs/returneesdonot have sufficientfinancialresourcestostarttheirownsmallbusinesses.Inordertoobtainaloan,displacedpeopleneedtoprovidesomekindofguarantee,forexampleonpropertytheyown,andvalididentificationdocuments.SomestakeholdersbelievethatbankswouldbemorereluctanttograntaloantoanIDPthantomembersofthehostcommunity.Anotherobstacletocreditisthelackofawareness,asalargenumberofIDPs/returneeshavenotheardofloans.Thereisalsoaresistancetoit,as many people reject the idea of paying interest as forbidden by Islam. Yet,CRDSA,alocalNGO,issupportingthecreationofsmallbusinessesandMoLSAMDhasprovidedsomegrants(notspecificallytargetingdisplacedpeople).

“We had a loan system here in our village but our people rejected it because the interest system is “haram” in our religion.” Male host community member, Herat PD 7


There are some legal or administrative obstacles that prevent people accessing employmentorself-employment,includingaccesstocredit/loans

There are no legal or administrative obstacles to people accessing employment or self-employment,includingaccesstocredit/loans


Very few TVET programmes are available intheareaand/orfewopportunitiesforapprenticeship.

Very few TVET programmes are available intheareaand/orfewopportunitiesforapprenticeship.

25ADSP | 2019


Existenceofemploymentopportunities

Qualitative proxy indicator: access to employment and self-employment35

Inthesurvey,bothdisplacedpeopleandhostcommunitymemberslistedthelackofeducation(43%)andlackofassets(45%)asthemainobstaclestofindingemployment.Lackofknowledge(19%)andlackofaccesstocreditalsoemergedasimportantbarriersforIDPs.Theseobstaclesaresimilarineverysurveyedlocation.IDPsdonotpossessspecificprofessionalskills(asidefrominagriculture)andsustainableemploymentopportunitiesarerareinHerat,evenforthehostcommunity.Therefore,IDPsengageinlow-skilledjobsandworkasdaylabourers,eitherinfarmingorinconstruction,whilewomenworkastailorsorcarpetweavers—whentheypossesssuchskills.Displacedwomenreportfacingmorebarriersthanmen.Theyaretwiceaslikelyasmentoreportlackofeducationasabarrierandthereisa14-percentagepointdifferenceregardingassetsasanobstacletoobtainingajob.Lackoflocalnetworksisaconcernfor20%ofmen.Childrenalsowork,sellinggoods,washingcars,orpolishingshoes.Somedisplacedpeoplehaveopenedsmallshops,butthemajorityofpeoplehighlightedthelackoffinancialsupportavailableforstartingbusinesses.

DoRRwasreportedtohavesupportedsomeIDPstofindshort-termjobopportunitiesinhotelsandrestaurants,butthesejobsareonlyirregularlyavailable,whichlimitstheirincome.Noothergovernmentmeasureswerereported.

“We do not have any main source of income. People here are working per day. Sometimes they find work and sometimes they do not.” Female IDP, Herat PD 6

InFGDs,IDPsoftenhighlightedtheprecarityoftheirsituation,explainingthateveniftheyhaveaccesstothemarketorcapital,findingajobisextremelydifficultandincomeremainsinsufficient.

“I have a rickshaw, and am working on it. But It is not a reliable source of breadwinning and I face a lot of difficulty with this single source of income. The market is nearby but I don’t think there are many employment opportunities.” Male IDP, Shalbafan, PD 7

35 The gap between men and women can be explained by a lack awareness amongst women from the most conservative communitiesofwhattheirhusbandsdooutsidethehouse.



26 ADSP | 2019


Sourceofincomeandfinancialstability

Quantitative proxy indicator: percentage of population who are able to afford basic expenses most of the time

Overall,displacedpeoplelackasourceofincomeandfinancialstability.Self-employmentisthemainsourceofincomeforbothhostcommunity(35%)andIDPs(36%).Occasionallabour(27%)andshort-termemployment(13%)alsoprovideincometoIDPs,whilehostcommunitymembersaremorelikelytohavelong-termemployment(14%–atenpercentagepointdifferencecomparedtoIDPs)ordoseasonalwork(15%).ThedifferencebetweenprotractedandrecentIDPsismarginalwhenitcomestosourcesofincome.Womenrarelyhaveastablesourceofincome.

Thequalitativedataprovidedetailsonthelivelihoodstrategiesusedbydisplacedpeople.SomeIDPsreceivedcashfromthegovernmentandNGOsforawhile.Inadditiontotheoccasionallabourtheymightfind,theysometimesbenefitfromremittancessentbyfamilymemberslivinginIran.Theincomeofthemajorityofbothhostcommunitymembersanddisplacedpeopleisbelow5,000Afsamonth.HostcommunitiesarecomparativelybetteroffthanIDPsbutremainpooroverall.

Displacementundoubtedlyaffectspeople’sstandardofliving,astheproportionofhostcommunitymemberswhocanalwaysaffordbasics(24%)isthreetimeshigherthantheproportionofIDPs(7.8%).Thereisa12-percentagepointdifferencebetweenIDPsandhostcommunitymemberswhoreportneverbeingabletocovertheirbasicneeds.

“IDPs are jobless and they do not have any source of income. They rely on support provided by various humanitarian organizations.” AIHRC, Herat

Housing, land, and property

Accesstohousing,land,andpropertyrights

Qualitative proxy indicator: access to housing, land and property rights

KeyinformantsandIDPsallconfirmedthroughqualitativedatathatdisplacedpeopleownandrentproperty.Theonlyobstacleisthelackofmoney.Womengenerallyfacebarriersinaccessingtheirrightinrelationtoproperty,including




Everyonehasrighttorentorbuyhousesland Everyonehasrighttorentorbuyhousesland

27ADSP | 2019


claiminginheritanceandtoaccessingjusticetodefendtheirrights.36

LandtenureQuantitative proxy indicator: Percentage of population having security of tenure

Recently displaced people areatriskofbeingevicted.77.5%ofprotractedIDPsreportedthattheycanstayaslongastheywantintheplacetheycurrentlylive,and60.5%ofrecentIDPsreportbeinginthesamesituation.However,itshouldbeconsideredthat,inthecaseofGuzara,while84%oftheIDPsreportedhavingsecurityoftenure,only56%ofthemreportedlivingindurablehousing,meaningthatalsorespondentslivingintentsdonotfearevictions.SomeIDPs/returneeshavesettledonprivateland,builtahouseandsometimescultivatethatland.ThishashappenedmoreinGahdistan,ShaidayeeandKaristan,forinstance,wherefamilieswereevictedfromthelandtheywereillegallyoccupying.Thesefamilieshavereportedly been relocated to Shahrak-i-Sabz.

“We used to live in other place, but the owner of the land forced us to leave the place and he settled there.” Female IDP, Shalbafan

Opportunities,obstaclesandsuggestionsforengagement:materialsafety

Whilesomeorganisationsprovidehealthservices,includingmobileclinics,inunder-servedareasaffectedbydisplacement,poorcoordination,limitedresources,andthepoorcommitmentofhealthworkerspresentachallenge.Vaccinations are, however, provided to all children. Improving coordination among health providers, identifying more servicesforpatientreferral,andimprovingthequalityofservicesprovidedbymobilehealthclinicsshouldbeamongtheprioritiesconsideredinthedevelopmentoftheactionplan.Theprovisionoffirstaidtrainingandfirstaidkitstocommunitiesthatdonothaveimmediateaccesstoproperhealthservicesshouldalsobeconsidered.

Community-basededucationprojectsareimplementedinseveralareaswheredisplacedhouseholdsaresettledandorganisationsaresupportingthecapacitydevelopmentoflocalteachersandincreasingthenumberofschools.However,supportshouldbeexpandedtoallowmorechildrentoaccesseducationandreduceovercrowding.Organisationsshouldbuildontheirexperienceandenhanceformaleducationactivitiesincommunitiesaffectedbydisplacement,ensuringthatemergencysupportsuchastemporaryschoolsmakethetransitiontopermanentstructures.Theyshouldalsoconsideralternativemethodsofsupportingeducation,includingthroughprivatescholarships,ordistancelearning.ExistingglobalinitiativesregardingHigherEducationinEmergencies(HEiE),includingdigitalcollaborativescholarships,shouldbeexploredtoidentifylocallyrelevant,flexible,andhigh-qualitymodelsofeducation.Effortsshouldbemade,boththroughprogrammingandadvocacy,toaddressthegapsinchildrens‘civildocumentationwhichreduceaccesstoeducationservices.

36Formoredetailssee“StrengtheningDisplacedWomen’sHousing,LandandPropertyRightsinAfghanistan”https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/reports/strengthening-displaced-womens-housing-land-and-property-rights-in-afghanistan.pdf



https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/reports/strengthening-displaced-womens-housing-land-and-property-rights-in-afghanistan.pdf

https://www.nrc.no/globalassets/pdf/reports/strengthening-displaced-womens-housing-land-and-property-rights-in-afghanistan.pdf

28 ADSP | 2019


TVETstructuresexistbutneedtobereinvigoratedandthenumberandqualityoflocaltrainersneedstobeincreased,withaparticularfocusonrecruitingfemaletrainers.TVETservicesshouldincludetheprovisionofToTonnewskillsorupgradingofexistingskills.WhilesomeopportunitiestoattendTVETexist,theyarenotsufficientandtheskillsprovidedarenotalwaysmarketable.Whilepost-trainingsupportneedalsotobeprovided,theneedtoprovideaspecificassistancetodisplacedwholacknetworkingorcivildocumentationshouldbeconsidered.TVETandEmploymentRoundTablesareorganisedinHeratbytheDepartmentofLaborandSocialAffairs,withtheaimofsupportingHerattobecomeAfghanistan’sTVETcapital,andcreatingsustainablestructures.Thiscoordinationmechanismcouldalsobeusedasaforuminwhichtoshareprogrammeevaluations,marketassessments,andvaluechain analyses, in order to inform TVET programme design so it is more in line with market needs. Broader involvement oftheprivatesector,includingthroughconsultationsandpartnerships(suchasaninternershipormentoringprogramme),iscrucialforthedevelopmentofaskilledandmarketableworkforce.TherentingofgovernmentagriculturallandtoIDPsisreportedlycurrentlytakingplaceinHerat,anapproachwhichcouldbeexpandedtothosedisplacedwhohaveskillsrelatedtofarming.Peri-urbancommunitieswhoseeconomyreliesonagricultureshouldbeassisted,carryingoutassessmentsandvaluechainanalysesandaddressingconstraintsrelatedtoagriculturalinfrastructure,inputssupply,post-harvesttreatment,marketing,andcredittofarmers.Greatercoordinationandcollaborationisrequiredbetweentheimplementationofshort-termemergencyprojects,suchascash-for-rent,andactivitieswhichsupporttheself-relianceofeconomicallyvulnerablefamilies.

Afterseveralyears,someinformalsitesinHeratwereeventuallyformalisedandproperservicesprovidedtoresidents.TheIDPPolicy,theFrameworkforReturneesandIDPs,thePresidentialDecree305,andtheHeratActionPlanalldiscussoptionstoprotectthedisplacedfromforcedevictionsandprovidelandtolandlessdisplacedpeople.Thelocalgovernmenthas,however,interpretedDecree305inarestrictivemanner,ensuringthatonlythoseIDPsdisplacedforfiveyearsormoreareeligibletoreceiveland.Humanitariananddevelopmentstakeholdersshouldcontinuetomonitorlandallocationprocessestoensuretransaparencyandfairness,andshouldcontinueadvocacyactivitiestobringabouttheequitableandtimelydistributionoflandtolandlessdisplacedpeople.

29ADSP | 2019


Legal Safety Access to documentation Documentationavailability

Quantitative proxy indicator: percentage of population who have a national identity card37

National identity cards andvoteridentificationcardsarethetwoofficialdocumentsheldbythemajorityofdisplacedpeople.Eighty-ninepercentofIDPs,andasimilarnumberofhostcommunity,havenationalIDcards.However,displacedchildrenfrequentlylacksuchdocumentation.Inaddition,onlyonethirdofrespondentsfromanyofthegroupshavebirthcertificatesandfewhavemarriagecertificates.

Women,whetherdisplacedornot,morefrequentlylackidentificationdocumentsthanmen.Thisisanareawheregapsare consistent and deepest. For instance, the ratio of female IDPs who have a national identity card is 10 percentage pointslowerthanthoseofmen.Thedifferenceisespeciallystarkasfaraspassportsandtitledeedsareconcerned.Thereisa40-percentagepointdifferencebetweenhostcommunitymenandwomenwhopossesstitledeeds.

Notpossessingidentificationdocumentsincursarangeofnegativeconsequences.Qualitativedatashowthatmanychildrenwithoutidentificationdocumentscannotenrolinschool.Inaddition,adultswhodonothaveanationalIDcardcannotvote.Toaddressthisissue,thegovernmentdistributedspecificvoteridentificationcardsforIDPs(non-IDPshaveastickeronthebackoftheirnationalID),butonlyhalfofIDPsreporthavingsuchacard.ThelackofidentificationdocumentsandoftitlesofdeedsmaybeanobstacletoaccessinglandwhenIDPsreturntotheirareaoforigin.

AvailabilityofmechanismsforobtainingorreplacingdocumentationQualitative proxy indicator: access to mechanism for obtaining or replacing civil documentation

Mechanismstoobtainorreplacedocumentationexistinareasoforigin,butdisplacedpeoplefacedifficultiesreturningbecausetheirareasoforiginareofteninsecure.Thejourneycanalsobelongandexpensive.Theotheroption,totraveltoKabultoobtaintheirdocumentation,isbetoocostlyforalmostallIDPs.

37Thefactthatahigherpercentageoffemaleprotracteddisplacedhavevaliddocumentscomparedtofemalehostcommunitymembersmeritsfurtherexamination.




There are no mechanisms available in the area for people to obtain or replace civil documentation

There are mechanisms available in the area for people to obtain or replace civil documentationandtherearenodifficultiesto access them or to have the needed documentation

30 ADSP | 2019


Family reunification

Qualitative proxy indicator: access to mechanisms for family reunification

Family separationisveryrareandmostlyaffectsfamiliesofreturneeswhohavebeendeportedfromIran.TherearemechanismsinplacetoreunitethoseseparatedfamilymembersbutnottoreuniteIDPsfamilymembers.

Participation in public affairs Ability to vote and stand for electionQualitative proxy indicator: availability of mechanisms allowing people to vote and being elected

TherearenospecificobstaclestoIDPs‘participationinelections,asvotersorascandidates.Inmostcases,however,lackofdocumentation,educationandthefactthatvotersmustcasttheirvoteinthelocationinwhichtheregisteredpreventstheirparticipation.SomeIDPsreportedtheycouldnotvotebecausetheydidnothavevalididentificationdocuments,eventhoughthegovernmenthaddistributedtemporaryidentificationcardsfortheparliamentaryelections.Womenfrombothgroupsnotedculturalbarrierspreventthemfromparticipatinginelections.

Participation in CDC elections

Proxy indicator: percentage of population that participated in the last CDC elections

28%ofthedisplacedand14%ofthehostcommunitymemberswerenotpresentintheircommunityatthetimeoftheCDCelections.Lackofawareness(especiallyinHeratPD7)appearstobeamajorobstacletoparticipation,with29%ofdisplacedand27%ofthehostcommunityreportedlyunawareoftheprocess.Women’sparticipationappearsquitelowcomparedtomen,especiallyamonghostcommunitymembers.VeryfewdisplacedpeopleranasCDCcandidates.DisplacedpeoplecanbeelectedasmembersofCDCsandsomehavebeen.IDPsandreturneeswholiveinplaceswheretheymakeupthemajorityofthepopulationhavetheirownelectedrepresentatives.SomeCDCshavealsobeenestablishedindisplacedcommunitiesandconsistexclusivelyofIDPs/returnees.Butingeneral,CDCmembersareelectedfromamongthehostcommunity.

“We don’t let other people to be our leader, we have our own leader and we select our own people.” Female host community member, Herat PD 7


There are mechanisms available in the area toreuniteseparatedfamilymembersbuttheyarenotaccessibletoallgroups

There are mechanisms available in the area toreuniteseparatedfamilymembersbuttheyarenotaccessibletoallgroups


Everyone has the possibility to vote and standforelection,althoughculturalbarriersexistforsomegroups

Everyone has the possibility to vote and standforelection,althoughculturalbarriersexistforsomegroups



31ADSP | 2019


Involvement in social and political life

Quantitative proxy indicator: active participation in social or political life

Involvementinsocialandpoliticallifeappearstobehigheramongrecentlydisplacedpeoplethanhostcommunitymembersorthosefacingprotracteddisplacement.ThismightbeduetothefactthatIDPs,especiallythoselivinginsettlements,haveshurasrepresentingthemandallowingthemtoparticipateinpoliticallifeanddecision-making.ThemajorityofIDPs/returneesexpressedsatisfactionwiththeirlevelofconsultationandinclusion.Thereisalargegapbetweenmenandwomen‘sinvolvement,duetothepreviouslymentionedculturalbarriers.Outsideofthesettlements,IDPinvolvementdropsconsiderably,withratesclosetozeroinGuzaradistrictandinHeratPD7.

Access to remedies and justice

Availability of mechanisms to address complaints

Qualitative proxy indicator: access to and responsiveness of complaint mechanisms

DisplacedpeoplecanraisecomplaintstotheDirectorateofRefugeesandRepatriation.Theycanalsocall410,aphonenumbercreatedspecificallysothatIDPs/returneescansharegrievances.Inaddition,someNGOshavetheirowncomplaintmechanisms,includingcomplaintboxes.However,IDPs/returneesareusuallyunawareofthesemechanismsand,likehostcommunities,theysubmitcomplaintstovillageleadersorCDCs.

Accesstoformalorinformaljusticesystems

Qualitative proxy indicator: access to formal or informal justice systems

Formalandinformaljusticesystemsareusuallyavailableandfunctioningintheareaofdisplacement.IDPs/returneeshavesimilaraccesstothehostcommunity,eventhoughsomefemaleIDPshavelessunderstandingoftheprocess.However,displacedpeopletendtooptfortheinformalsystembecausetheyprefera“traditional”approachanddonottrusttheformaljusticesystem,whichtheyperceivetobecorrupt.




Mechanismsexisttoaddresscomplaintsbuttheir response is limited

Mechanismsexisttoaddresscomplaintsbuttheir response is limited


Formalandinformaljusticesystemsareavailableintheareabuttheirfunctionislimited

Formalandinformaljusticesystemsareavailableintheareabuttheirfunctionislimited

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Availabilityandresponsivenessofformalandinformaljusticesystem

Quantitative proxy indicator: percentage of population who believe that existing justice system can defend their rights

TheformaljusticesectorisnottrustedamonganyofthegroupsinHerat.Consideringtherelativelysimilarleveloftrustamongallgroups,itcanbeassumedthatthejusticesectordoesnotdiscriminateagainstcertaingroups.However,italsoconfirmsthat,whetherinthecityorinruralareas,citizensprefertheinformaljusticesystemwhichisregardedasmore faster, fairer and more transparent than the formal system. In the FGDs, participants of all origins complained aboutthehighlevelofcorruptionoftheformaljusticesystem.

Opportunities,obstaclesandsuggestionsforengagement:legalsafety

Currently,displacedpersonsstillfacemanyobstaclesinobtainingaTazkera,includingnavigatingcomplexadministrativeproceduresandtheneedtoapplytothePopulationRegistrationDepartment(PRD)eitherintheirplaceoforiginorinKabul.AccordingtotheIDPPolicy“TheMoIwillprioritiseIDPswhodonothavetazkerasforreceivingtheE-TazkeraandwillauthoriseallcentralandprovincialdepartmentsoftheDPRtoprioritiseIDPsforissuanceoftheE-Tazkera”.Italsostatesthatthe“MoIwillmodernisetherecord-keepingofitsDPRandcentraliseinKabuldatathatiscurrentlyonlyheldinprovincialcapitals,sothatitisnotnecessaryforIDPstotraveltotheirhomeprovincestoverifytheiridentity,asthisisexpensiveandcanbebothdifficultanddangerous.Itwillalsoensurethatthenewsystemallowsfortheissuanceoftazkerasinanyprovincialcapital”.Thishas,however,notyethappenedandmechanismstoobtainorreplacedocumentationexistonlyintheareaoforiginorinKabul.AcivilregistrationdatabaseisreportedtoexistinKabulbutisnotlinkedwiththeprovinces.AdvocacyshouldfocusonencouragingthegovernmenttomeetitsobligationsundertheIDPPolicyinthisregard.

Withregardtodisplacedpopulations‘representationincommunity-baseddecisionmakingmechanisms,theIDPPolicyprioritises“enhancingrepresentationincommunity-baseddecisionmakingstructuresthroughallocationofafixedpercentageofurbanCDCstoinformalsettlementswithhighnumberofIDPsand/orreturnees,provisionofalegalbasisforrepresentationofnewlyarrivedreturneesand/orIDPsinCDCsandGhozars,ensuringIDPs’andreturnees’representativesareincludedincitygovernancestructuresandmunicipaladvisoryboards,ensuringtherighttoinformationforallcitizensonservices,includingandespeciallyIDPsand/orreturnees.”Aswiththeobligationspertainingtocivildocumentation,thegovernmentshoudbeencouragedtodeliveruponthesecommitments.

Inthemeantime,theCitizens’CharterprovidestheopportunityforreturneesandIDPstoparticipateinlocalgovernanceandtovoicetheirconcerns.Somehavebeenelectedascommunityrepresentatives.However,lackofawarenessandlimitedtrustintheinclusivenessandeffectivenessoftheprocesshamperstheparticipationofbothdisplacedandhostcommunitymembers.EffortstostrengthencoordinationbetweenhumanitarianactorsandCDCsneedtobemade,includingstrengtheninghumanitarianworkers’knowledgeoftheCitizens’CharterandtheprocessesrelatingtotheinclusionofdisplacedinCDCelections.Thiswillhelpthemparticipateinawareness-raisingactivities.



33ADSP | 2019


Complaintresponsemechanismsthataddressissuesrelevanttocommunitiesaffectedbydisplacementdoexist.

Awaaz Afghanistan,implementedbyUNOPSonbehalfofWFP,UNHCR,theAfghanistanHumanitarianFund,andtheEUisanationwide,inter-agencycallcentrewhichallowsAfghanstorequestinformationandhumanitariansupportbycallingatoll-freenumberorsubmittingamessageontheirwebsite.ThecentrewasestablishedinMay2018andisstaffedbymaleandfemalemultilingualoperators.ServicesareavailableinDari,Pashto,Urdu,andEnglish.Accordingtoreportedcallmetrics,morethanone-thirdofcallsareoutbound(including32%labelledas“follow-up).Thissuggeststhatthecentrehasestablishedmechanismsforactuallyrespondingtotheconcernsofcitizensandreportingtheinformationbacktothem.ThecallratefromhostcommunitiesappearstobenearlydoublethatofIDPs,withtheoverwhelminglymajorityofcallersbeingadultmen.

Beyond Awaaz, however, there is generally a limited capacity to take action with regard to the complaints made and providecallerswithfeedback.Otherfactors,suchaslimitedawarenessofandlackoftrustintheconfidentialityandtransparencyofsuchmechanisms,limitedresourcesandcoordinationchallengeshampertheeffectivenessofsuchmechanisms.

Accordingtothoseconsulted,displacedpopulationsareoftenunawareoflocaljusticemechanisms.Increasingcommunity-leveltrainingfordutybearersondisputeresolutionandprovidingawarenesstoIDPsonlocaljusticemechanismswillhelpenhanceIDPs’accesstojustice.

Earlymarriageremainsoneofthemostcommonlyreportedrightsviolations,butitisnotsufficientlyaddressedasitisstillwidelyculturallyacceptable.AgenciesshouldconsideradvocatingfortheMinistryofHajjandReligiousAffairstovalidate/issuemarriagecertificates,38whichcouldhelptopreventtheearlyorforcedmarriagepractice,ensuringthatallmarriages comply with Afghan law.

38Article70oftheAfghanCivilLawsetsthelegalageofmarriagetobe16forfemalesand18formales;Article71(subsection1)givesagirl’smarriagerightstoherfatherorguardianbeforethelegalageof16,andmarriagesforminorsundertheageof15arenotallowedunderanycircumstance.

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ImpactofDisplacementonDifferentGroupsThereisnosignificantdifferencebetweenthehostcommunityandIDPsregardingsecurity,trustinpoliceandfreedomofmovement.Similarly,bothcommunitiesmostlyrelyonself-employmentandtheyfacesimilarbarriersinaccessinghealthcareandeducation.However,displacedpeoplearedisproportionallyaffectedwhenitcomestofoodsecurity,housing,andaccesstosafedrinkingwaterandsanitation.Lackofdocumentationandlimitedsocialnetworksimpactontheircapacitytoaccessworkandeducation.

Althoughhostcommunitymembersappearbetteroffwithregardtohousingconditionsandsanitation,andareinmanycasesthefirstprovidersofassistance,offeringshelterandfoodtothedisplaced,theyfeelthatthepresenceofthedisplacedobligesthemtosharetheirlimitedresourceswithoutrecievinganythinginreturn.

Newly displaced and protracted displaced

OnsomeissuesagapbetweenrecentandprotractedIDPsemerges,asthesituationofprotractedIDPsisoftenindistinguishablefromthatofthehostcommunity.ProtractedIDPs’feelingsofsafetyaresimilartothoseofmembersofthehostcommunity.ProtractedIDPsliveintheirownhouseinhigherproportionthannewlyarrivedIDPsandtheyhavebetteraccesstofood,sanitationandmedicalfacilities.MenaremorelikelytohaveidentificationandtovotethanrecentIDPs,inawaythatissimilartohostcommunities.

ThereviewofthevariousindicatorsshowsthatprotractedIDPshaveintegratedrelativelywellandhavesucceededinaccessingincome,formalisingtheirhousingsituation,andgainingaccesstoservicesandpoliticallife.Onthecontrary,recentIDPsfacemorebarrierstoaccessservices,arepoorerandliveinsituationthataremorefragile,includingwhenitcomestohousing.

Specificissuesfacedbyurbanandperi-urbanresidents

Anurban/peri-urbandividehasemergedonseveralissuessuchassafetyperception,trustinthepolice,lackoffood,housingandsanitation.Thefeelingofsafetyishigherinperi-urbanareasthaninthecity.Thisisacommonissueencounteredincities:residentsoftenperceivetheirpersonalsafetyatriskmostlybecauseofcriminality.Inaddition,quantitativedataindicatethatlackoffoodismoresevereinurbanareas,especiallyinPD7,asitiseasiertogetfoodsupplies(inexchangeforworkinsomecases)orgrowcropsinperi-urbanareas.

Anurban/peri-urbandivideisalsovisibilewhenconsideringhousing.HalfofrecentIDPsinperi-urbanareasliveinatent while none of the IDPsdoinPD6andPD7.Theyaremorelikelytoliveinrentedhouses.Thisstemsfromthefactthathousinginsemi-ruralareasisrapidlysaturated.Linkedtothis,accesstosanitationisbetterinurbanareaswherefamilytoiletsareusedalmostexclusively,unlikeinperi-urbanareas.

Gender

Ashighlightedthroughoutthereport,therearesignificantgapsbetweenmenandwomen,reflectingthegeneralgenderimbalanceinAfghanistan.Insomeinstances,differencesonlyaffectfemaleIDPs,whichleadstotheconclusionthatdisplacementincreaseswomen’svulnerabilityand/orthatthegendergapwasmoresignificantintheplaceoforiginthantheplaceofdisplacement.

35ADSP | 2019


FemaleIDPsarelessconfidentthantheircounterpartsinhostcommunitieswhenitcomestoaccessingjobs.Theyfeeltheylackeducation,assetsandskillstoaccessjobs.Further,theiraccesstofoodislowerthanmaleIDPs,whomighthaveachancetoeatinthemiddleofthedaywhentheydodailylabour.

Similarly,alowerproportionofwomenhaveidentificationdocumentsthanmen,especiallypassportsand title deeds, whichpointsatotherculturalinequalities,suchasAfghanwomenbeinglesslikelytotravelandtoownpropertythanmen. Women also vote in lower proportion and are less likely to get involved in any political or social activity. These inequalitiesmightbeexacerbatedbydisplacementbutaremainlyculturalinorigin.

Minors

Childrenfaceseveralvulnerabilitiesthatareexacerbatedbydisplacement.First,qualitativedatahighlightthatthey oftenhavetoworktosupporttheirfamily,whichpreventsthemfromattendingschool.Whileitisdifficulttopreciselyassess the extent of the phenomenon, it is reported as common. Children sell food, wash cars, polish shoes and collect plastic,amongotherthings.WhilechildlabouriscommoninAfghanistan,itismostprobablyexacerbatedbypovertyinthe displacement context.

Second, many displaced IDP children do not have national identity cards. As explained above, parents have to go to theirareaoforigininordertoobtaindocumentation,whichistoocostlyand/orunsafe.Asaconsequence,withoutanIDcardchildrencannotenrolinschool.Thisconstitutesanadditionalbarriertoeducationfordisplacedchildren.

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OverviewoffindingsHERAT – ALL POPULATIONS

PHYSICAL SAFETY

PROTECTION SAFETY AND SECURITY SOCIAL COHESION Quantitative proxy indicator: Percentage of population that is aware of cases of physical, sexual or psychological violence

Percentage of population who can move freely in the community

Percentage of population who feel safe in the community

Percentage of population who trust the police

Existence of forms of discrimination

DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED

HOST HOST HOST HOST HOST

MATERIAL SAFETY

ACCESS TO BASIC SERVICES Percentage of population who experience hunger

Percentage of population who have access to durable housing

Percentage of population who have access to safe drinking water

Percentage of population who have access to adequate sanitation

Percentage of population who have access to health services

Percentage of children who have access to schools (primary and secondary)

Existence and access to safety net/social protection programmes

DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED

HOST HOST HOST HOST HOST HOST HOST

ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT AND JOB CREATION Access to markets

Access to TVET opportunities

Existence of legal or administrative obstacles to accessing employment and self-employment

Access to employment and self-employment

Percentage of population who are able to afford basic expenses most of the time

DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED

HOST HOST HOST HOST HOST

HOUSING, LAND AND PROPERTY Access to housing, land and property rights Percentage of population who have security of tenure

DISPLACED DISPLACED

HOST HOST

LEGAL SAFETY

ACCESS TO DOCUMENTATION

FAMILY REUNIFICATION

PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Percentage of population who have civil documentation

Access to mechanisms for obtaining or replacing civil documentation

Access to mechanisms for family reunification

Availability of mechanisms that allow population to vote and be elected

Percentage of population who participated in the last CDC elections

Active participation in social and political life

DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED

HOST HOST HOST HOST HOST HOST

ACCESS TO REMEDIES AND JUSTICE

Availability and responsiveness of mechanisms to address complaints

Access to formal or informal justice system

Percentage of population who believe that existing justice system can defend their rights

DISPLACED DISPLACED DISPLACED

HOST HOST HOST

37ADSP | 2019


PHYSICAL SAFETY

PROTECTION SAFETY AND SECURITY SOCIAL COHESION Quantitative proxy indicator: Percentage of population that is aware of cases of physical, sexual or psychological violence

Percentage of population who can move freely in the community

Percentage of population who feel safe in the community

Percentage of population who trust the police

Existence of forms of discrimination

RECENT RECENT RECENT RECENTALL DISPLACED

PROTRACTED PROTRACTED PROTRACTED PROTRACTED

MATERIAL SAFETY

ACCESS TO BASIC SERVICES Percentage of population who experience hunger

Percentage of population who have access to durable housing

Percentage of population who have access to safe drinking water

Percentage of population who have access to adequate sanitation

Percentage of population who have access to health services

Percentage of children who have access to schools (primary and secondary)

Existence and access to safety net/social protection programmes

RECENT RECENT RECENT RECENT RECENT RECENT ALL DISPLACED

PROTRACTED PROTRACTED PROTRACTED PROTRACTED PROTRACTED PROTRACTED

ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT AND JOB CREATION Access to markets

Access to TVET opportunities

Existence of legal or administrative obstacles to accessing employment and self-employment

Access to employment and self-employment

Percentage of population who are able to afford basic expenses most of the time

ALL DISPLACED ALL DISPLACED ALL DISPLACEDRECENT RECENT

PROTRACTED PROTRACTED

HOUSING, LAND AND PROPERTY Access housing, land and property rights Percentage of population who have security of tenure

ALL DISPLACEDRECENT

PROTRACTED

LEGAL SAFETY

ACCESS TO DOCUMENTATION

FAMILY REUNIFICATION PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Percentage of population who have civil documentation

Access to mechanisms for obtaining or replacing civil documentation

Access to mechanisms for family reunification

Availability of mechanisms that allow population to vote and be elected

Percentage of population who participated in the last CDC elections

Active participation to social and political life

RECENTALL DISPLACED ALL DISPLACED ALL DISPLACED

RECENT RECENT

HOST PROTRACTED PROTRACTED

ACCESS TO REMEDIES AND JUSTICE Availability and responsiveness of mechanisms to address complaints

Access to formal or informal justice system

Percentage of population who believe that existing justice system can defend their rights

ALL DISPLACED ALL DISPLACED ALL DISPLACED

HERAT – DISPLACED ONLY

38 ADSP | 2019


PART3–CONCLUSIONSANDRECOMMENDATIONS ThepresentassessmentoffersacasestudyonthechallengesandopportunitiesforthegovernmentandhumanitariananddevelopmentactorswhenworkingwithlargeIDPpopulationsinAfghanistan.Overall,thelegalandpolicyframeworkisrelativelystrongandcoordinationmechanismsexist,butimplementingtheframeworkislesssuccessful.Thecentralgovernmentdoesnotprovidesufficientsupporttotheprovinciallevelandevenslowsdowntheimplementation of local initiatives.

The programmatic responses to the Herat IDP crisis seem to have been relatively well aligned to the emergency needs, butthetransitionbetweenemergencyandrecoveryremainslimitedandinsufficientlycoordinatedacrossactorsandactivities.In2018,torespondtothearrivalofaconsiderablenumberofdisplacedpeople,manyagenciesfocusedtheirinterventionsonemergencyresponse.However,lessattentionhasbeenplacedonbuildingcommunities’resilienceandsupportingIDPsintheachievementofdurablesolutions.Short-termemergencyprogrammesendedinJune2019,buthavenotbeenreplacedbylonger-termprogrammesaimedatsupportingcommunities’recovery.

Whileresidents—whetherhostsorIDPs—canaccessmostservices,thequalityoftheseservicesremainsverypoor.ThereporthighlightsthefragilityoftheIDPs‘situation,butitshouldbenotedthatthesituationofhostcommunitymembersremainsprecarious,especiallyinrelationtofoodsecurityandaccesstoalong-termjobandstablesourceofincome.ThepresenceofIDPsandreturneesputadditionalstressonalreadyinsufficientpublicservicesandafragileeconomy.

Differencesexistbetweendisplacedandhostcommunitiesinaccessingfood,housing(includingsecurityoftenure)andsafedrinkingwater.Accesstoeconomicopportunitiesissimilar,althoughthedisplacedsufferfromlackofdocumentationandnetworkingwhichreducestheirchanceofemploymentoraccesscredittostartabusiness.Obtainingcivildocumentationisalsoamainproblemforthedisplacedasopposedtohostcommunitymembers,asthesedocumentscanonlyberenewedintheirareaoforigin.Forthosewhohavebeenindisplacementformorethanthreeyears,thesituationappearsmoresimilartothatofthehostcommunitymemberswithregardtohousing,includingsecurityoftenure,sanitationandhealth.

Consideringtheriskoftensionbetweenhostanddisplacedcommunities,andtherelativelyhighlevelofpovertyevenamonghostcommunities,itisimportanttodesigncomprehensiveandconflict-sensitiveprogrammesthatconsidertheneedsofbothdisplacedandhostcommunitymembersandstrengthenboththequalityandquantityofservicedelivery.Morespecifically,thefollowingisrecommended:

Advocacyandinstitutionalsupport • Whilerecognisingthatreturnremainsasolution,engageinadvocacyandprogrammingtoensurethatintegration

inplacesofdisplacementremainsanoptionforthedisplaced.ThiswouldincludeassistingMoRRinplanning,coordinationandresourceallocationofinitiativestosupporttheintegrationprocess.

39ADSP | 2019


• MoRRshouldbefurthersupportedatnationalandsub-nationallevelinits coordination role, with an emphasis onbettersynchronizingtheinterventionsofmultipleactorsatdifferentlevels.CoordinationinHeratshouldinvolvecivilsocietynetworksandtheprivatesector,astheyhavethepotentialtofosterpeacefulcoexistenceandeconomic empowerment.

• Advocate with DoRR to play a more prominent role in sharing information and managing IDPs’ expectations, which areusuallyhighandunmet,increasingfrustrationwiththegovernmentandserviceproviders.Thiscouldbedonethroughproperlydesignedcommunicationefforts,includingorganisingregularmeetingswithIDPsandhostcommunityrepresentativesandusingagrievancemanagementmechanism.

• Ensurethatcommunitiesaffectedbydisplacementtakeanactiveroleindecision-making processes,includingthedesignandmonitoringofinterventionsaimedatsupportingrecovery.

• Followuponland allocationinHeratandadvocateforthefairandtimelydistributionoflandtolandlessdisplacedwho have opted for local integration. Review the land allocation experiences in Herat and the assistance provided toformalsettlementswiththeaimofimprovingfuturesupport,includinginotherareasofthecountry.

• Manyoftheindicatorsarelinkedtotheissueofcivil documentation for IDPs. Advocate with the government atnationalleveltoissuetazkeraslocally,linkingthecivilregistrationdatabaseinKabulwiththeoneinHeratandprovincesofhighdisplacement.Explorethepossibilityofproviding/extendingsupporttothegovernmentinimplementingsuchactivities.

Programming • Thetransitionbetweenemergencyaidandassistancetorecoveryanddurablesolutionsshouldbebetterdesigned,

with development actors involved from the beginning.

• HostcommunitieshavesimilarneedstoIDPs,andprogrammingshouldtargetbothIDPsandhostcommunities.Programmedesignshouldbeneeds-basedandconsiderhowpossibletensionordisputescouldbeaddressedormitigatedthroughtheuseofconflictsensitivityapproaches.

• Thegovernmentandaidagenciesshouldprioritisefood securityintheirprogrammeandsetcleargoalstoreducefoodinsecurity.

• Strengthen protectionactivitieswhichraiseawarenessontherightsofthevictims,educationonpreventionandreportingofGBV.GBVremainstabooandreportinglevelsremainlow,andasaresult,programmmesshouldinvolvemen,insteadoffocusingsolelyonwomen.Measuressuchasestablishingsafespacesforwomentospeak,strengthenedreferralmechanismsandawareness-raisingprogrammeswill,intime,encouragethedevelopmentofanenvironmentinwhichsurvivorsmightfeelcomfortabletoreport.Ensurethatproperfollowupsarecarriedoutandthatadequatesupportisprovidedtoreferralpathways.

• ReviewcurrentshelterprogrammingandidentifywaystoimproveIDPs‘securityoftenureandhousingconditions,includingtheconditionofrentedhouses,providingassistancethatcanbenefitbothdisplacedandhostcommunity.

• Enhance formal educationactivitiesincommunitiesaffectedbydisplacement,ensuringthatemergencysupport,suchastemporaryschools,transitionstopermanentstructures,buildingclassroomsanddevelopingnewteachers’capacitiesasrequired.Explorealternativemethodsofsupportingprimaryandsecondaryeducation,includingthroughprivatescholarships,distancelearning,orlinkingHeratUniversitywithuniversitiesinothercountries.

40 ADSP | 2019


• Strengthen livelihood activitiestosupportself-reliance.Emergencymeasures,suchascashforrent,canbelinkedtoactivitiesthatsupporttheself-relianceofeconomicallyvulnerablefamilies.Morelinkageswith—andinvolvementof—theprivatesectorshouldbeexploredfromthestarttodevelopaskilledandmarketableworkforce,ensuringthatTVETandpost-trainingsupportisprovidedandthatitcorrespondstotheactualneedsofthemarket.SpecificsupporttoIDPsshouldbeprovidedwhenaccesstoemploymentorcreditarehamperedbyalackofsocialnetworksorcivildocumentation.

• Assistperi-urbancommunitieswhoseeconomyreliesonagriculture.Furtherresearchincludingmarketassessmentsandvaluechainanalysistargetingperi-urbanareasisneeded.Assistancecanbeprovidednotonlyinidentifyingandinvestinginhighvalueagriculturalproducts,butalsoinaddressingconstraintsrelatedtoinfrastructure,inputsupply,post-harvesttreatment,marketingandcredittofarmers.Additionally,thepossibilitythatgovernmentlandcouldberentedforfarmingcouldbeexploredtosupportdisplacedwithfarmingskills.

• Reinforce complaint mechanisms,enhancingawarenessandensuringtimelyandproperfollow-up.Providefeedbacktocommunities.

• The Citizens’ Charter Programmeseems,thusfar,tobethemostinclusivesystemtoprovideservicesequallytoIDPsandhostcommunities,althoughmorecanbedonetobettersupportresilienceandpermanentsolutions.WaystoenhancecollaborationwithCDCsneedtobefurtherexploredastheyhaveagreatpotentialtofostersocialcohesionbetweenthegroupsandmitigatetheriskofconflicts.

• Enhance IDPs’ access to justice,increasingcoverageofcommunity-leveltrainingfordutybearersondisputeresolutionandprovidingawarenesstoIDPsonlocaljusticemechanisms.

• EvaluateinitiativesaimedatsupportingtheprocessofIDP returns,includinginitiativesundertakenintheareaofdisplacementaswellasorigin,tounderstandchallengesandopportunitiesinreplication/expansion.39Ensurethatsuchevaluationsarewidelyshared,especiallywithMoRR,andusedtodesignfutureactivitiestosupportreturn.

39ADSPiscurrentlyundertakingastudy“LearningfromIDPs’ExperienceofReturn”

41ADSP | 2019


PART 4 – ACTION PLANTheActionPlanprovidesaninitiallistofpriorityprogrammaticandpolicy/advocacyactionsthatADSPmemberscouldtakeintoconsiderationinthedevelopmentoftheirstrategicplanningforthenextthreetofiveyearstosupport,incoordinationandcollaborationwithotherpartners,theearlyrecoveryandresilienceofcommunitiesaffectedbydisplacementinHerat. Overalltheactionsproposedconsidercommunitiesasawhole,includingbothdisplacedandhost.However,whereaproblemonlyaffectsonecommunity,targetedactionsaresuggested.WhenIDPsliveinsettlements,particularlyinperi-urbanareas,activitiesshouldalsotargetorprovidebenefitstothesurroundinghostcommunity

PHYSICAL SAFETYObjectives Actions Expected

outcomeRisks and assumptions

Implementer

Create an environment conducive to improved GBV reporting and response, and foster an environment in which suvivors rights are respected

•Carryoutathoroughgenderaudittoidentifystructuralrisksandcapacitiesforresilience. Also review exsting services, coordination and rererral mechanisms, and actors’ capacities with regard to prevention and case management of GBV cases.Usefindingsofgenderaudittoinform coordinated development of GBV programmes.

•Engagewithwholecommunities,includingmenandboys,toaddressharmfulculturalbeliefsandpracticesinwayswhichareculturallyappropriate.

•Engagewithpolice,justiceandgovernmentduty-bearerstodevelopappropriatecapacity-buildingprogrammesfocusingoninternationaland Afghan legal and normative frameworks, and reporting and response processes.

•Workwithruleoflawactorstostrengthenprogrammeswhichbuildtrustbetweendisplacedcommunitiesandpolice forces

•Evaluateawareness,reportingandcapacity development interventions to inform design of possible next phases.

Survivorsfeelbetter able to report GBV abuses,andcommunitiesas a whole have improved understandingof the impact of harmfulculturalpractices and how to address them

Taboos and limitedtrust

Potential safety risks associated with GBV service provision and programming addressing harmfulculturalpractices

Lackoffunding

Lack of police andcommunityengagement

Limited numberofNGOs involved in providing services

Protection Cluster(lead)

Humanitarianagencies delivering projects to assist GBV survivorsindisplacement-affectedcommunities

42 ADSP | 2019


Objectives Actions Expected outcome

Risks and assumptions

Implementer

Strengthen social cohesion through the design of conflict sensitive programmes

•Carryoutconflictriskanalysispriortoprogramme design

•Shareconflictriskanalysiswithpartnersand agencies engaged in activities thatsupportcommunitiesaffectedbydisplacement

• Design and implement projects that are needs-based and consider how possible conflictcouldbeaddressedormitigated

• Design and implement projects to promote awareness of IDPs’ rights, and socialandculturalactivitiesthatenhanceunderstandingandpromotepeacefulcoexistence,particularlyincommunitiesaffectedbydisplacement.

•Monitorandregularlyevaluatetheimpact of coexistence activities and share withpartnersandagenciesresultsandlessons learned.

• Design and implement projects in collaboration with host and displaced communities

•SupporttoHeratDoRRinplanning,coordinationandresourceallocationofinitiativesthatcansupportreturnandlocal integration processes

Programming is conflictsensitiveand addresses potential and existingconflicts

Lackoffunding Limitedspecificexpertise for conflictriskanalysis among humanitarianactors

Resistance by local administration and communitiestointegrating IDPs

Humanitarianand development agencies implementing projects targeting displacement affectedcommunities

Enhance collaboration with Citizens’ Charter Programme (CCAP) and Community Development Councils (CDC)

•AdvocatewithCCAPtoenhancesupporttocommunitiesaffectedbydisplacement.

• Identify mechanisms for coordination andcoordinate/collaborate,includingsharing data and information and jointly prioritise areas and sectors of interventionsandfollowuponresultsand lessons learned.

Social cohesion is fostered throughaninclusiveprogramme

Limitedfundingincommunitiesaffectedbydisplacement

Lack of CDC collaboration

ADSP members (lead)andhumanitarianactors working in communitiesaffectedbydisplacement

43ADSP | 2019


MATERIAL SAFETYObjectives Actions Expected


Implementer

Engage development actors in the design of programmes that enhance access to basic services for communities affected by displacement

• Map development programmes targetingareasaffectedbydisplacementin Herat.

•Initiate/strengthendialogueandcoordination with development agencies withtheaimoflinkinghumanitarianshort-term interventions to development long term programming.

•Advocateforinclusionofareasaffectedby displacement in development programmes/projectsandfollow-up.

Programmes have a long- term and sustainableoutcomesfor the whole community

High level of engagement, andflexibilityfrom both humanitarianand development actors.

Development projects/fundingwillneed to target communitiesaffectedbydisplacement

ADSP members (lead),

Humanitarianand development Agencies

Support communities affected by displacement in accessing adequate and diverse diet, especially during winter

•Liaise/advocatewithagenciesworkingonfoodsecuritytomonitorfoodsecuritysituationofcommunitiesandvulnerableindividualsaffectedbydisplacement.

•Advocateforinclusionofparticularlyvulnerablecommunitiesandindividualsinfoodsecurityprogrammes/projectsor design and implement projects to addressurgentgapsensuringthatlinktolonger-term interventions

Communitiesaffectedbydisplacement aresupportedinincreasing food security

Lackoffundingor existing programmes to targetspecificcommunitiesorindividuals

ADSP members,

FoodSecurityClusterandNutritionCluster(lead),

Humanitarianagencies working on foodsecurity

Increase access to durable housing and security of tenure

• Advocate with MoRR, MUDL and Herat MunicipalityforproperimplementationofthePresidentialDecree305onlandallocation;formalisationofprotractedIDPsettlementsonstateland;andprovisionofoccupancycertificates/titledeeds.

•Reviewcurrentshelterprogrammingand identify innovative, transitional shelter andhousingsupportfordisplacementaffectedcommunities.Considerrepair/improvementofrentedhouses,toalsoprovidedbenefittohostcommunitymembers.

• Liaise with livelihood agencies in Herat tolinkcashforrentbeneficiarieswithemploymentopportunitiestoincreaseresilience.

•Liaisewithprivatesectorhousingdeveloper and explore collaborative opportunitiesforaffordablehousingindisplacementaffectedcommunities

Landless members of communitiesaffectedbydisplacement enjoy improved securityoftenureandlegal protection against eviction and have access todurablehousing

Land is a sensitiveissueand allocation to landless families might face obstacles. A review of the challenges faced so far (see Maslakh and other experiences)can help identify ways of mitigating obstacles. Lack offundingfor shelter programming can be an obstacle for the provision of housing.

ADSP members,

Emergency Shelter and NFICluster(lead),

Humanitarianagencies implementing shelter programmes

4 4 ADSP | 2019


Increase access to water and sanitation in communities recently affected by displacement

•Carryout/reviewWASHassessmentsinareasaffectedbydisplacementwheresanitationisreportedasinsufficient,anddesignprogrammestoaddressurgentgaps.

•AdvocateforinclusionofcommunitiesaffectedbydisplacementinWASHdevelopment programmes.

• Advocate with Afghan Urban Water SupplyandSewerageCorporation(AUWSSC)HQinKabulanditsofficeinHerattoexplorewaystoreducewatercostsforparticularlyvulnerablecommunity’members

Access to affordableWASH services is increased for communitiesrecentlyaffectedby displacement

Lackoffundingor programmes to target communitiesaffectedbydisplacement.

Legal or institutionalobstacles to reducingwatertariffs.

ADSP members and WASHCluster(lead),

Humanitarianpartners providing WASH services inurbanandperi-urbanareas

Increase access to health services in communities affected by displacement

•Carryout/reviewhealthassessmentsinareasaffectedbydisplacement,includingcurrentcoordinationandreferralmechanisms, and actors’ capacities

•Advocateforinclusionofcommunitiesaffectedbydisplacementinhealthdevelopmentprogrammes,includingincreasingnumberandimprovingqualityof mobile clinics and strengthening communities’firstaidcapacities

• Design and implement programmes to addressurgentgapsintheprovisionofhealthservicesincommunitiesaffectedbydisplacement,ensuringtheylinktolonger-term interventions

• Review existing coordination among health providers, and patient referral mechanismsandprovidesupportforimprovement.

Access and qualityofhealthservices is increased in communitiesaffectedbydisplacement

Lackoffundingor programmes to target communitiesaffectedbydisplacement.

ADSP members and HealthCluster(lead),

Humanitarianpartners providing health services in communitiesaffectedbydisplacement

Enhance access to formal education in communities affected by displacement

•Carryout/revieweducationassessmentsinareasaffectedbydisplacement,withspecial consideration to initiatives that supporttransitionfromemergencytopermanentstructures.

•Advocateforinclusionofcommunitiesaffectedbydisplacementineducationdevelopmentprogrammes,includingincreasingnumberoffacilitiesandenhancing teachers’ capacities.

• Design and implement programmes toaddressurgentgapsintheprovisionofeducationservicesincommunitiesaffectedbydisplacement,includingenhancing parents’ awareness of the benefitofeducationandincentivepackages,ensuringlinkstolonger-terminterventions.

• Review global or local experiences of alternativemethodsofeducationsupport,includingthroughprivatesponsorships,or distance learning and assess their potential of being piloted in Herat.

Male and female childrenaffectedby displacement access to primary and secondary educationisenhanced, includingthroughtheuseof innovative and alternative educationmethods

Lack of programmes targeting communitiesaffectedbydisplacement.

Lack of infrastructure,land interest from private sector and sponsors

ADSP members and EducationinEmergency WorkingGroup(leads),

Humanitarianpartners providing educationservices in communitiesaffectedbydisplacement

45ADSP | 2019


Enhance access to employment and self-employment

•Advocatewithpublicandprivatetransportproviderstolinkcommunitiesaffectedbydisplacementwithmarkets.

•SupportcoordinationmechanismssuchasthelocalDoLSATVETRoundTablestoshare information, market assessments andstudies,andtoadvocateforinclusionofcommunitiesaffectedbydisplacement

• Advocate with MoRR to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the National IDP’s Policy’s TVET provisions

•Design/implementprogrammestoaddress gaps in TVET, and links to market assessmentsandpost-trainingsupport,and long-term development interventions

• Review global and local practices in supportingundocumentedIDPsinaccessing TVET, employment and credit and design and implement pilot activities.

•Supporttheestablishmentordevelopment of TVET and employment centresinareasaffectedbydisplacement

•Liaisewithagriculturaldevelopmentactors to address farmers’ constraints, and provide credit in areas where IDPs with farming skills can work.

• Review legislation, practice and opportunitiesforrentofgovernmentlandandidentifywaystosupportIDPsandhostcommunitymemberswithfarmingskillsbutnoaccesstoland.

A skilled and marketable workforce is has increased access to employment and self-employment in bothurbanandperi-urbanareas

Lackoffundingor programmes totargetspecificcommunities.

Lack of interest of government and/orprivatesector to coordinate and collaborate

Land is a sensitiveissueandshouldbeexpected that the renting of agriculturallandby IDPs will face obstacles.

ADSP members and humanitarianpartners providing services to supportaccessto employment and self- employment

46 ADSP | 2019


LEGAL SAFETYObjectives Actions Expected


Implementer

Enhance IDPs’ access to civil documentation

• Advocate with the MoRR and MoI to link theKabulcivilregistrationdatabaseiwiththeHerat,toissuetazkeraslocally.

•ProvidetechnicalsupporttoMoI/PopulationRegistrationDepartment(PRD)toissuetazkeraslocally

•Design/implementprogrammestoaddressurgentgapsintheprovisionofcivildocumentationtoIDPs,ensuringlinkto long-term interventions.

IDPs can obtain tazkeras in Herat

Lackoffundingor programmes tosupportMoI/PRD to address theissue.

Lack of government interest.

ADSP members and Protection Cluster

Enhance participation in CDC elections in communities affected by displacement

•DiscusswithCCAPpossiblemodalitiesto increase displaced people’s awareness of the Citizens’ Charter and processes relatedtotheinclusionofdisplacedinCDCelectionsandfollow-up

Displaced populations’participation in social and political life increases

Lack of communityinterest and limitedtrustininclusivenessand effectivenessofthe process.

ADSP members and Protection Cluster

Enhance access to remedies and justice

•Advocateforand/orprovidedirectsupporttoincreaseawarenessofcomplaint response mechanisms in communitiesaffectedbydisplacement,ensuringproperfollowup.

• Advocate with agencies implementing community-leveldisputeresolutiontrainingfordutybearerstoincludecommunitiesaffectedbydisplacementintheir programmes.

• Design and implement programmes toaddressurgentgapsinaccesstojustice,ensuringthatlinktolong-terminterventions.

• Develop and implement projects to provide IDPs with awareness of local justicemechanisms.

•Advocatewithgovernmentinstitutionsto provide the Ministry of Hajj and ReligiousAffairstheauthoritytovalidate/issuemarriagecertificates.

Communitiesaffectedbydisplacement increase opportunitiesto address complaints and remedies, and access traditional and/orformaljustice

Lack of programmes tocarryoutactivities.

Legal or institutionalobstacles to giving the Ministry of Hajj andReligiousAffairstheauthoritytovalidate/issuemarriagecertificates

ADSP members and Protection Cluster(leads),

Humanitarianagencies involved in supportingtheCRMs and the justicesector(informaland/or formal.

47ADSP | 2019


The Asia Displacement Solutions Platform is a joint initiative of the Danish Refugee Council, International Rescue Committee, Norwegian Refugee Council and Relief International, which aims to contribute to the development of comprehensive solutions for Afghans affected by displacement. Drawing upon its members’ operational presence in the region, the ADSP engages in constructive dialogue and evidence-based advocacy initiatives to support improved outcomes for displaced Afghans.

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