Angelina Jolie appeals for greater support to Afghan refugees

- Planet Bollywood Special Correspondant           Let us know what you think about this story

During her trip, Jolie visited recent returnees in the eastern province of Nangarhar, where almost 20 per cent of all Afghans who returned to the homeland have settled since 2002.

The returnees, who are living on desolate, desert land in tattered tents and makeshift shelters, told her they could not return to their places of origin due to a lack of land and poor security.

"The courage, resilience and quiet dignity of returnee families rebuilding their lives against the kind of adversity few of us can imagine shows the human spirit at its best," said the actress, and mother of six.

Jolie also visited families in Kabul who had returned from Pakistan in 2003 but have still been unable to go back to their home villages. The families have been squatting in public buildings in Kabul for several years due to the lack of available land in Parwan, their province of origin, according to UNHCR.

The returnees explained that landlessness and insecurity were not the only obstacles to return. Economic problems in rural areas such as a lack of employment opportunities also influenced their decision to remain in Kabul despite the difficulties they face there

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