2017 PJ3532 Dutch Relief Alliance Afghanistan Joint Response 2 (AFJR2)

Large scale internal displacement in Afghanistan due to conflict has been accompanied by major population return of huge numbers of Afghan citizens from Pakistan and Iran. The scale of this return movement was largely unanticipated. Despite a decade with some of the highest levels of international assistance to Afghanistan, the poverty rate has increased since 2011 and will likely increase further in 2017 as more people return and result in increased pressure on the local services, infrastructure, and economic opportunities. A total of 2.1 million people are in need of emergency shelter and Non-Food Items, 3.2 million are food insecure and 2.3 million do not have access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, with the highest percentage of those affected being children. Despite continued high levels of support, the combination of continuing conflict, major population movements and low levels of economic growth have prevented Afghans from adequately meeting their immediate life-saving needs. The changing nature of internal displacement has also necessitated a greater focus on meeting the needs of those people facing more prolonged and protracted displacement who now live in semi-permanent crisis.