“He sent out his word and rescued them from the dangerous situation.”
Save the Children, an International Children’s Rights NGO expressed concern about Afghan refugees returning to their country following the Pakistani government’s announcement of the deportation of undocumented foreigners.
The Pakistani government recently announced that it would forcibly deport or arrest approximately 1.7 million undocumented residents in the country if they do not voluntarily leave by October 31, putting Afghan refugees at risk of having to return to their country. Accordingly, over the past six weeks, approximately 120,000 Afghans have crossed the border and returned to their homeland.
Save the Children said it was concerned that most Afghan children and families who crossed the border would have no place to stay and that they would not have money to buy food or cover rent or transportation costs. Even if they return to their home country, most people have difficulty making a living and do not even have a place to stay, and some children were born in Pakistan but have never been to Afghanistan.
Moreover, Afghanistan is currently experiencing its worst humanitarian crisis. The severe drought that occurred for the first time in 30 years is causing unprecedented poverty and malnutrition.
Food insecurity worsened after four earthquakes occurred in Herat Province, western Afghanistan, last October. This is why it is difficult for Afghan refugees to receive basic rights such as medical care, protection, and education even if they return to their hometowns.
Javid (17, pseudonym), an Afghan boy, said, “I was born in Lahore (Pakistan), but I couldn’t go to school. There is nowhere to go now. Even if I go back to Afghanistan, I have no house to live in. I have been waiting for three days at the Torkham border with my family,” he said. Another boy, Kamal (14, pseudonym), was worried, “My family doesn’t have enough money or food to get to our final destination.”
“Thousands of people are currently living in unsanitary conditions along the border without proper shelter, running water or toilets,” said Arshad Malik, Save the Children’s Afghanistan office director, who visited the Torkham border area. “Children were exposed to emotional stress and were playing dangerously near trucks travelling to and from the border,” he said.
He said, “The lives of Afghans who were uprooted from Pakistan need stability. However, what awaits them is only the worst humanitarian crisis,” he said. “There are already many people in Afghanistan who need urgent help due to a reduction in international aid, and the humanitarian crisis is expected to deepen as the cold winter approaches. Afghanistan is unable to cope with the massive influx of people,” he said. (Source: Christian Today Comprehensive)
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. (Psalms 107:19-21)
God, may You be with the Afghan refugees who cannot find stability anywhere amid the humanitarian crisis, and save them from danger. Please grant the Pakistani government a tender heart to accommodate the Afghanistan refugees. May You extend helping hands from the nations so that the daily necessities and shelter will be provided to the needy. We pray that the gospel will be heard in their poor hearts so that they may encounter Your unfailing love, kindness and wonderful deeds, and be saved.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
