The IRC came to Pakistan more than quarter of a century ago to help millions of Afghan refugees who crossed over the Pak-Afghan border in the aftermath of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1980. Since then the IRC has been providing essential services to refugees as well as the host Pakistani communities in North West Frontier Province.

Subject to the internal situation of Afghanistan, demographic dimensions of refugee populations have been fluctuating due to phases of voluntary repatriation and waves of reflux of refugees back to Pakistan. About 1.9 million refugees still remain in Pakistan. While working for the long term aim of finding durable solutions for the refugees, the IRC continues to provide vocational training, education, environmental health and medical assistance to the remaining Afghan refugees. IRC’s strategy is also simultaneously aligned to support the local communities impacted by the presence of refugees.

In countries where already present, the IRC also responds to emergencies caused by natural disasters. The IRC responded immediately to the devastating earthquake of 2005 by providing emergency relief and assistance to more than 230,000 earthquake victims. As the initial emergency phase ended, IRC moved its focus to longer-term reconstruction and rehabilitation, working alongside local communities and the government to “Build Back Better.”

Pakistan consistently advances towards good governance, sustained stability, and people’s trust in institutions at all levels – including positive co-existence with Afghans living in Pakistan.

Read more about Afghan refugees. 
Afghans in pictures: Reluctant return (BBC - photo essay) 

Hear from IRC aid workers in Pakistan on our Voices from the Field blog.