UNHCR reported in early June that 52% of the 1.3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan are children, after it conducted a study on the population inside the country.
At least 52% of the registered Afghan refugee population in Pakistan are children, including 197,428 of four years of age or under, UNHCR reports.
The government of Pakistan, with UNHCR support, has completed the verification of some 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan, a statement issued on June 3 said. It was found that "more than half (52%) of the registered refugee population are children, including 197,428 (15%) being four years of age or under.
Only 4% of those registered are 60 years of age or older. Women, children and older represent 76% of the population. Over half of registered Afghan refugees reside in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province," the statement noted. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is on the border between the two countries.
Almost a million new ID cards issued to refugees
"The data of Afghans was not updated in the last 10 years, therefore it was imperative to verify and update records which will enable us to better understand existing needs in the refugee communities," said Mr. Saleem Khan, Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees in Pakistan.
Close to one million new smart identity cards have been issued to date with a validity until 30 June 2023, with children under the age of five included in parents' cards.
Ms. Noriko Yoshida, UNHCR's Representative to Pakistan underscored that the smart cards are an essential protection tool for Afghan refugees. "They provide proof of identity, entitlement to temporary stay in Pakistan, and freedom of movement. They facilitate access to certain essential services, including education, healthcare, banking, property rental and allied facilities."