Seminar stresses care for displaced persons

PESHAWAR: Participants at a seminar here stressed the need for proper care and solidarity with the displaced persons, especially the Afghan refugees living in the country as well as the host communities and a proper mechanism to overcome the challenges faced by them.

The seminar was arranged by Maraka Humanitarian Observatory, a non-governmental organization, at the Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar.It focused on the themes of care, solidarity, and intermediaries in displacement-affected communities in the country.

The event was chaired by the Chairperson of the Department of Political Science Prof Dr Shahida Aman and faculty member Dr Ayub Jan. Research scholars, students, and experts attended the seminar.

Discussions was made on displacement, the role of traditional cultural institutions such as Malik (tribal elder), and the anthropological significance of Gham Khadi (festive and mourning events) among Afghan refugees and their host communities. This way the social structures of the society and the experiences of displaced populations in the country were analyzed in detail.

The participants exchanged ideas focusing on the challenges faced by Afghan refugees, the existing gaps in academic literature and the necessity to decolonize the concept of solidarity. The seminar highlighted the concerns of both the refugees and the host communities. The participants raised questions about refugee policies, integration challenges and the role of community support mechanisms in addressing displacement issues.

The importance of continued research and dialogue on the lived realities of Afghan refugees were highlighted during the event. A more nuanced and inclusive understanding of their struggles and resilience also came into discussion.

Dr Shahida Aman said that the discussions and findings from the seminar would contribute to broader academic and policy debates surrounding displacement and humanitarian responses in the region.