The Commissionerate Afghan Refugees KP is responsible for supporting Afghan refugees in urban areas, leading to the creation of the Urban Refugees Support Unit (URSU). This unit operates in urban and semi-urban regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with dedicated desks and focal persons located at:
- Commissionerate Afghan Refugees (CAR) headquarters in Peshawar
- Offices of District Administrators ARs in Mardan
- Offices of District Administrators ARs in Haripur
Senior management provides continuous support to ensure effective assistance.
Community-Based Approach (CBA)
URSU adopts a Community-Based Approach (CBA) to help urban refugees, focusing on:
- Self-help within the community
- Prioritizing services for those most in need
- Community-Based Protection (CBP)
- Access to public services through referral mechanisms
- Disseminating success stories to counter negative perceptions
A comprehensive policy is being developed under the guidance of the Commissioner Afghan Refugees for the welfare and management of urban refugees.
Key Elements of URSU
- Urban Refugees Desks
- Locations: Peshawar, Mardan, and Haripur
- Goals:
- Improve access to social services
- Foster peaceful coexistence and social cohesion between Afghan refugees and the host community
- Enhance the socio-economic status of Afghan refugees by creating livelihood opportunities
- Support dignified voluntary repatriation to Afghanistan
- Legal Protection
- Prioritize addressing the lack of legal protection for urban refugees, especially against threats and extortion
- Report domestic violence and gender-based violence cases to UNHCR for further action
- Use specific formats for reporting such incidents
- Mapping and Profiling
- Conduct mapping exercises and profiling refugee populations for effective management
- Provide accurate information and ensure equal access to durable solutions, including voluntary repatriation
- Offer full guidance and assistance to refugees willing to return to their country of origin for a smooth transition and sustainable solutions
Continuous Support and Collaboration
In collaboration with UNHCR CBP and District Administrators ARs, URSU ensures that urban refugees continuously access public services. This comprehensive approach aims to:
- Uplift Afghan refugees’ socio-economic status
- Foster integration and peaceful coexistence within host communities
