ISLAMABAD: The Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CAR) and International Rescue Committee (IRC) signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” (MoU) on Tuesday that outlined operations and activities where IRC and CAR intend to collaborate for facilitating Afghan refugees in access to health and other essential and basic services.
CAR’s vision aligns with the strategic approach of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Pakistan. IRC in Pakistan has been active with Afghan refugees since the 1980s with a wide range of programming under emergency relief, health, education, cash assistance, and essential services. A news release said the strategic partnership between IRC and CAR is a testament to the resolve to work collaboratively for Afghan refugees.
Essential services for Afghan refugees
Limited access to malnutrition, healthcare, and high rates of infectious diseases is one of the multiple challenges that Afghan refugees face. Maternal and child health is also a matter of concern for Afghan refugees in Pakistan as many refugee women lack access to reproductive healthcare services, leading to higher maternal and infant mortality rates. Mental health is another key area of concern for Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Usually, the health challenges facing Afghan refugees in Pakistan are complex and multifaceted. Addressing these challenges needs accurate information. It is predicted that IRC and CAR will collaborate in developing an annual health status report which will identify areas for assistance in the health sector to cater to preventive, rehabilitative, and curative healthcare for Afghan refugees.
While speaking at MoU signing ceremony, Commissioner Afghan Refugee Muhammad Abbas Khan appreciated IRC’s longstanding commitment towards the cause of Afghan refugees and reaffirmed the support of the Commissionerate in working collaboratively to provide quality services with dignity and dignity and diligence.
He further noted that Pakistan proudly hosts millions of Afghan Refugees and this hospitality was only possible due to the generosity of host communities. “The financial and technical support of the international community is crucial, along with fostering partnerships for the noble cause.”
Country Director, IRC-Pakistan, Shabnam Baloch, remarked that this collaboration between International Rescue Committee and Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees would pave the way for practical programming that was based on research that utilizes evidence for research and a triple nexus approach. Baloch further reiterated IRC’s commitment to work alongside government counterparts to foster a suitable environment for Afghan refugees in the country.
Pakistan has a decades-long history of hosting Afghan refugees, dating back to 1979. Since that time, millions of Afghans sought refuge in Pakistan. Even now, Pakistan hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world. To streamline the coordination process, the “Commissionerate Afghan Refugees” (CAR) was established in 1979 with the mandate for refugee camp management and facilitating access to education and health services, skills training for livelihood opportunities, and helping refugees in voluntary repatriation.
