Author Description

This report presents preliminary findings from research conducted by the authors in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. Relating briefly the circumstances of the Soviet invasion, the paper points out the massive exodus of Afghans to the neighbouring states of Iran and Pakistan. It discusses the societal characteristics of the refugee population in Pakistan (over 3 million Afghan refugees) and the political factors which determine the dimensions of the problem. Approximately 75% of the refugees are located in the North West Frontier Province and most of them accommodated in refugee camps. There are a number of significant health care problems with which relief agencies must cope brought on by the lack of immediate registration in refugee camps, irregular distribution of food, lack of diet variety, the problem of housing, sanitation, etc. All these factors have contributed to a serious decline in the health care situation, leading to a high infant mortality rate, infectious diseases (tuberculosis, malaria), malnutrition, etc. Nonetheless, various organizations have created programmes for training Afghans as health workers. In conclusion, the authors expect that the Australian Government will recognize the importance of providing assistance to Afghan refugees in Pakistan.