The return

If you’ve read khaled Hosseini bestsellers A thousand splendid suns or Kite Runner, than the documentary film THE RETURN by Joost Verhey is a must see. THE RETURN takes you back to the Afghan refugee camps in 1989/1990. At the time, the extend of the refugee problem was simply staggering; yet, hardly noticed by the western world. As a one-off situation director and anthropologist Verhey visited several Afghan refugees camps, including Jalozai, in 1989, sketching the problems of those living in these camps.

Current Interest

Today we know the Taliban received most of their manpower from Madrasahs close to the Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan’s border region. During the 1990s the humanitarian conditions in these Afghan refugee camps where severe. There were no jobs, no food, no schools, health care was limited, housing and services were expensive. Within the context of this humanitarion catastophe, religious schools flourished, fueled by the absence of non-religious schools and the complete disarray of the war- scarred refugees. Many of these madrasahs prepared their students for holy war in Afghanistan.

Historic Interest

Still today, the refugee problem remains a significant issue for Afghanistan and its neighbors UNHCR statistcs. The refugee flow began as a trickle in April 1978 after the coup by the PDPA, reaching a peak during the first half of 1981 when an estimated 4,700 crossed the Pakistan border daily. The flow ebbed and surged in response to Soviet offenses. At the time this film was made, the number of Afghan refugees was estimated at 3.2 million in Pakistan, 2.2. million in Iran, and several hundred thousands resettled in scattered communities throughout the world. In 1989 Afghans represented the largest single concentration of refugees in the world.

Political Interest

On many occasions history has proven that if large masses of people are living in disarray, scattered without home and economic prospect then war, nationalism and/or religious fundamentalism is at hand. This knowledge holds humanity responsibile for instable regions like Iraq, Dafur and many others to help prevent the conditions from deteriorating and spreading to neighboring regions.

Awards

‘The return’ has been shown in theaters and on television in the Netherlands, England (BBC), Germany and Italy. Because Afghanistan was out of focus for the media in the 90’s, we feel the film did not get the attention it deserved.

Scenes

Far from home
The civil war in Afghanistan led to many fleeing to neighbouring Pakistan and the creation of refugee camps struggling to cope with the influx of people from across the border. Many have no option but to remain here until their homeland is rebuilt and offers a sign of hope.
Life in the camps
For many, the struggle for food is a day to day problem in the camps. Bribery is common place and this leads to many leaving the camps earlier or to unfair distribution of food and amenities.
The search for something more
The resulting problems from these camps is that many refugees head to neighbouring cities in Pakistan, like Peshawar, in search for work. Many here live in worse conditions than those in the camps.
Homesickness
Whether refugees are living in camps or in cities in neighbouring Pakistan, the longing to return to their homeland remains. But with a lack of certainty over the border, many doubt they will ever return.
Life in Afghanistan
Life is hard for those who have attempted to make a life for themselves in Afghanistan. With little water, amenities and opportunities, the road to recovery is just as hard as those living in refugee camps across the nearby border.
The future for the refugees
Although many landowners offer to help the peasants and provide work and food, the continuing violence makes it hard for a safe existence. Until this stops, the suffering of the people will continue and many more will follow to the camps in Pakistan.