Today. 50 percent of all farm and most of the critical irrigation system has been destroyed. Of the 22.000 villages existing in 1979. only 5.000 remain unscathed. In addition. Afghanistan faces the repatriation of close to half its prewar population. 7 million people. requiring extensive health and education efforts to prevent disease and starvation upon their return. However. none of the refugees will return to their homes as long as the fighting continues inside Afghanistan. Only when the guns fall silent and the landmines are found and removed. and when there is a freely established. broadbased democratic government will these tragically displaced people go home. And when that happens.
Keywords matched
refugees