ISLAMABAD: Three UN agencies have expressed their deep concern over the safety and well-being of children and families affected by the ‘Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan’ and alarmed at the potential consequences of this plan’s implementation.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, IOM, the UN Migration Agency, and Unicef, the UN Children’s Fund, continue to appeal to the international community to increase support for hosting vulnerable children and families and refugees in Pakistan, said a press release issued by the three UN agencies in Islamabad on Friday.

UNHCR and IOM reiterate their offer to support Pakistan in developing a mechanism to register, manage, and screen people who need continued protection in the country, the press release added.

The majority are Afghans now returning out of fear of arrest or deportation in Pakistan. Afghanistan is deep in the grips of a humanitarian crisis, with ongoing human rights challenges and an impeding harsh winter. Almost 30 million people require humanitarian assistance and 3.3m are internally displaced.

Since September 15, 2023, an estimated 160,000 Afghans have left Pakistan. Among those, 86 per cent of families reported fear of arrest as the most common reason for leaving the overwhelming majority departing in a rush, and without assistance.

Although the government’s plan specifies repatriation of undocumented foreigners during phase one, there are reports of registered refugees and Afghans possessing legal documents, including Afghan Citizenship Card holders and Afghans scheduled for resettlement being pressurised despite assurances they will be protected.

Those include children and women. IOM has received reports of persons being targeted in

their homes.

The UN agencies say children face serious protection risks while on the move in Pakistan, in detention centres, crossing borders and upon return to Afghanistan. In these situations, children face risks of physical threats to their safety, family separation, distress, fear, abuse and exploitation. Children’s access to services including education and healthcare and basic necessities such as food and shelter can be severely disrupted.

More registered Afghan refugees are also approaching UNHCR’s voluntary repatriation centres in Peshawar and Quetta asking to be assisted to return. UNHCR and IOM are stepping up their capacity to help. Voluntary returns are generally slower during the winter.

“Any return needs to be voluntary and done in a safe and orderly manner, with full respect for rights and protection of those in need,” stressed Philippa Candler, UNHCR’s representative.

UNHCR and IOM have undertaken intensive engagement with the authorities in Pakistan, including advocating that those whose safety may be at risk are exempted from the government’s deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave by November 1.

‘’We are appealing to the authorities not to force vulnerable people, including children and families, back to a situation where their lives may be at risk,’’ said Mio Sato, IOM’s Chief of Mission.

“At this time of increased vulnerability, Unicef called on the government to fulfill its obligations to uphold and protect the rights of all children within its borders.

“A child is a child. Children everywhere must be protected at all times to live with dignity, so they can grow, learn and reach their full potential,” said Abdullah Fadil, Unicef’s Pakistan Representative.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2023