RESILIENCE OF AFGHAN RETURNEES HOW THE RESILIENCE OF AFGHAN RETURNEES ARE STRENGTHENED THROUGH INTERVENTIONS?

Abstract

Voluntarily returned Afghans mainly from Iran and Pakistan over the last decade, the two neighboring host countries with majority of refugees are vulnerable. This paper discusses on resilience of returnees in terms of unsustainable livelihood opportunities, access to land, portable water, sanitation, and poor government infrastructure. By using Save the Children International intervention the paper explores on theories of resilience, refugee, livelihood, and community lead total sanitation as a successful case study in three provinces of Afghanistan (Nangarhar, Balkh and Jowzjan). As well as the essay will reflect on the role of NGOs and humanitarian aid organizations as implementing partner to help Afghan government provide service in most deprived post conflict areas. Throughout various integrated interventions the desktop research argues on approaches to engage returnee families in income generation activities, capacity building programs and provision of sacrificing costs for the breadwinners. The essay will discuss on results of these interventions aiming to strengthen returnee’s resilience helping them in having access to safe water for drinking and engaging the vulnerable groups in livelihood activities. Their skills are improved, awareness on hygiene and sanitation practices are in better condition and their income increased leading to improved livelihood opportunities, which enable them to support their families in their areas of settlement. The topic of the essay will conclude on elaborating the importance of aforementioned interventions and reflect on the question: How the Resilience of Afghan Returnees are Strengthened Through these Mediations?