Afghanistan 2002
05/23/2002

On arrival at the border, the refugees are directed to large tents where they are registered by the Ministry of Repatriation. Then, they wait in the tents until their baggage arrives, usually 2-3 hours later.

At the border processing center, returnees are divided into two groups—those returning to Herat province and those returning to other areas. For returnees going north from Herat, IOM (International Organization for Migration) will soon start providing transport in heavy-duty vehicles from Herat to the district capitals in their places of origin. For returnees traveling south or to Kabul, UNHCR provides a cash grant so that they can arrange their own transportation. Roughly 60% of returnees are traveling on the southern road, with about 40% of those going to Kabul. Twelve percent are returning to Herat and 28% are returning to northern areas.