Competent Response to Pakistani Refugees From Bajaur

UNCLAS KABUL 002361 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, EB/TPP/ATP, PRM DEPT PASS USAID/ASIA BUREAU, AID/ANE, DCHA/FFP, DCHA/OFDA NSC FOR JWOOD OSD FOR SHIVERS CG CJTF-82, POLAD, JICCENT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID PHUM PREF PGOV PREL PK AF SUBJECT: Competent Response to Pakistani Refugees From Bajaur ¶1. (U) Summary: Beginning the week of August 6, Afghan refugee and Pakistani families living in Bajaur and Mohmand Tribal Agencies in Pakistan began fleeing into Afghanistan due to Pakistani military operations. UNHCR estimates approximately 2,000-3,000 refugee families have crossed into Kunar province. Media and UN estimates of internally displaced persons remaining in Pakistan ranges from 50,000 to 300,000 but the number is likely closer to 200,000. ¶2. (SBU) Following Kunar Governor Wahidi's provincial government emergency management meeting, provincial authorities (Departments of Refugees and Repatriation, Rural Reconstruction and Development, Women's Affairs, Public Health, Afghan Red Crescent) and international organizations (UNHCR , UNICEF, WFP, ICRC) promptly verified numbers, distributed aid, and provided services to most of the refugee families. The Asadabad PRT had just restocked provincial authorities' food and material supplies and will provide more assistance if requested. IROA and international assistance will continue for several days and food will be distributed in three weeks, if necessary. Provincial authorities have handled the situation well, though there is some evidence of minor corruption regarding aid distribution, ¶3. (SBU) Refugees have settled primarily with friends or family; no tent cities have sprung up. The refugees have been mainly women and children, as most men have remained behind to fight or protect family compounds. Approximately two-thirds of the families are Pakistani and one-third Afghan. Post has asked provincial authorities not to highlight the refugees' citizenship or the "generous" Afghan assistance, for fear that many "Pakistanis" are actually Afghans living illegally in Pakistan, and the Pakistani government could refuse them re-entry once fighting stops. All involved expect the refugees to return to their homes in Bajaur and elsewhere once the fighting subsides. ¶4. (SBU) Post is closely following UNHCR and ICRC aid distribution in Kunar, which is being carried out with PRM funds. Both organizations believe they have sufficient resources to handle the current situation, provided it does not drag on for several months. ¶5. (U) This cable is cleared by Embassy Islamabad. WOOD