Afghanistan 2002
05/14/2002

Once refugees make the decision to return to Afghanistan, they must arrange their own transportation back to Afghanistan. After arriving at one of three voluntary repatriation centers (VRC) in Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier Province, each family must be verified and registered by UNHCR and then given a voluntary repatriation form which entitles them to assistance in Afghanistan. UNHCR gives each refugee family of five a $100 transportation allowance, which they can collect, along with their food and non-food item package, at encashment centers in Afghanistan. If refugees reach the border late in the day and the border is closed, refugees can stay at a way station a few kilometers from the crossing at Torkham. Refugees International visited Torkham and witnessed trucks piled high with people, furniture, timber, and livestock going into Afghanistan and hundreds of empty trucks waiting in line to cross back into Pakistan to get new passengers. UNHCR has deployed border monitors to Torkham, and they report that there have been no incidences of harassment by border guards. Refugees present their voluntary repatriation form, and they are able to easily enter their homeland. Although the road to Kabul is considered unsafe, there have been no reports of harassment.