Overview
Mrs. Sara (pseudonym) and her two children, Sonia and Sami, recently returned to Herat Province from Iran. Sonia, 11 years old, and Sami, 8 years old, are siblings and orphans living with their widowed mother. Their father passed away from brain cancer three years ago. After his death, the family migrated to Iran hoping that their mother could find work to support them. Unfortunately, due to Iranian government policies deporting Afghan immigrants, the family was recently forced to return to Afghanistan.
UNHCR Civil Documents Programme – Herat Province
hrough UNHCR’s Civil Documentation and Legal Assistance Project, implemented by ARAA, Mrs. Sara and her children received vital legal support. The programme addresses key barriers faced by returnee families, especially the lack of civil documentation like electronic ID cards, which restricts access to social, educational, and communication services. Mrs. Sara attended a legal awareness session conducted by an ARAA lawyer, during which she requested legal counseling regarding family matters. The lawyer provided advice based on family law and highlighted the critical challenge of lacking civil documents. Without valid ID cards, her children were excluded from most social and educational services, could not obtain SIM cards to contact relatives, and Sami was unable to register for school.
Approaches
The family was identified as eligible for legal aid. The ARAA lawyer explained all administrative procedures required for obtaining electronic ID cards and helped guide the family throughout the process.
After approximately two months of legal assistance and follow-up:
- Sonia, Sami, and their mother successfully received their electronic ID cards
- They obtained SIM cards enabling them to reconnect with relatives
- Sami was registered for school and began continuing his education, a joyous milestone for the family
Conclusion
Mrs. Sara’s family illustrates how UNHCR’s Civil Documentation Programme, implemented by ARAA, transforms the lives of returnee families by restoring legal identity and enabling access to essential rights and services. This success story underscores the power of coordinated legal support in rebuilding stability and hope for vulnerable families.
Prepared by
Wahida Emadi
Lawyer at ARAA
