On 24 July 2024, an outreach session was delivered by Ms. Nafisa, Program and Research Assistant at International Center for Refugee and Migration Studies (ICRMS), at the DANESH office in Quetta. The session focused on briefing participants about the objectives, goals, and missions of the ICRMS. This initiative was a direct outcome of the quarterly field coordination meeting with UNHCR Partners (IPs) organized and led by Mr. Zia Tareen, field associate United Nations High Commission for Refugees UNHCR.
It was observed during the field coordination meetings with the UNHCR partners that there was a significant lack of information about the ongoing engagement of ICRMS at multiple levels. Specifically, there was a gap in knowledge regarding the admission procedures for tertiary education and the scholarships available to fund the studies of Afghan refugees.
The session aimed to inform the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CAR), UNHCR, and its implementing partners—DANESH, IDO, WESS, TARAQEE FOUNDATION, SEHER, MERCY CORPS, and TKF—about the ongoing engagement, activities, and events of the ICRMS. These activities are designed to uplift and make Afghan refugees self-sufficient in Balochistan. The session also highlighted the project-targeted activities and the volunteer work carried out by the ICRMS. The session also provided information about enrollment opportunities for Afghan refugees in Balochistan, regardless of their legal status—whether registered, unregistered, documented, or undocumented.
Overall, the session aimed to achieve the following goals:
- Enhance collaboration between ICRMS and UNHCR’s partner organizations.
- Streamline activity plans for better coordination.
- Improve volunteer work for the benefit of refugees, focusing on capacity building, research, advocacy, and self-sufficiency initiatives.
This collaborative effort is expected to bolster the support system for Afghan refugees, ensuring they receive the necessary assistance and opportunities for integration and development at both national and international levels.
