Peshawar, 16 September 2011, survey of the world’s largest refugee population has been launched by UNHCR and the government of Pakistan. The survey aimed to capture extensive information on the challenges faced by two million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, as well as their contribution to the country’s economy.
By responding to questions on their livelihood, health, social conditions, legal and other issues, Afghan refugees will have the opportunity to influence government policy and programme designed to manage a refugee situation that goes back more than 30 years.
Population Profiling Verification and Response (PPVR) survey is being carried out by UNHCR implementing partners Basic Education for Awareness Reforms and Empowerment (BEFAR) and Enterprise for Business and Development Management (EBDM).
Following a trial phase last year, the survey was formally rolled out recently with survey teams going door-to-door in 25 districts in all the four provinces of Pakistan.
It will continue until the end of 2011, by which time several hundred thousand Afghans are expected to have taken part. Two-person male and female survey teams are going door-to-door to collect information on Afghan households and communities in cities, rural areas and camps.
The data gathered in the survey will inform the Pakistan government’s Afghan management and repatriation strategy, which will introduce alternative stay arrangements for Afghans in Pakistan, such as visas and permits, by 2012.