Groundbreaking new policy signals fresh hope for war-displaced in Afghan cities

In a new report, IDMC explores the issue of the growing numbers of displaced people who seek refuge in Afghan cities, and exposes their particular vulnerability to illegal forced evictions. IDMC further highlights how today’s newly launched national IDP policy could, if properly implemented, end these abuses 

Over half a million Afghans are now displaced by conflict, and over 40% of the population has been displaced at least once in their lives, with less and less seeking refuge in camp settings.

‘In reality more and more displaced people are heading to informal settlements  in and around the cities in search of jobs and a means to rebuild their lives’ says Alfredo Zamudio, Director of IDMC. ‘Here they risk becoming invisible they are harder to locate and to help, and are often more vulnerable to human rights abuses – particularly through the practice of forced evictions’.

The threat of forced evictions

Today, IDMC and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) publishes a new report which analysed 16 eviction cases from informal settlements in and around major Afghan cities.  The research found that approximately 9,600 families (57,400 individuals) were found to have been affected by forced evictions.

‘Numerous abuses occur during evictions’ says Zamudio. ‘They are frequently planned and carried out without those concerned being told in advance, and frequently those evicted are not compensated for their loss, or relocated to alternative housing – the displaced are effectively left out in the cold yet again’.

New IDP policy provides opportunities

There are welcome signs, however, that official attitudes towards the urban displaced are shifting. Provisions for preventing forced evictions and mitigating the harm and suffering they cause are reflected in Afghanistan’s landmark national policy on internal displacement, which was adopted by the government in November last year.

The policy is a significant step towards addressing the long-term needs of IDPs in Afghanistan. It recognises that displaced people have a right to free choice when it comes to where they wish to live, and highlights the responsibility of the Afghan authorities to protect the increasing number of displaced people who live in informal settlements, including from the threat of forced eviction.

For more information, please contact:

Clare Spurrell, Head of Communications

Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
E-Mail: clare.spurrell@nrc.ch
Mobile: 41 79 379 89 52

Julia Blocher, Communications Officer

Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC)
E-Mail: julia.blocher@nrc.ch
Mobile: 41 (0)79 175 88 87

About IDMC
The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) is a world leader in the monitoring and analysis of the causes, effects and responses to internal displacement. Through its monitoring and analysis of people internally displaced by conflict, generalised violence, human rights violations, and natural or human-made disasters, IDMC raises awareness and advocates for respect of the rights of at-risk and uprooted peoples.

IDMC is part of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). For more information, visit our website at www.internal‐displacement.org 

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