Afghan refugees in India getting skill development training

Afghan refugees living in New Delhi are getting skill development training through the Anudip Foundation, which is an implementing partner with United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

The Anudip Foundation is offering this training to ensure a sustainable livelihood for Afghan refugees.

Presently, 79 refugees from Afghanistan are enrolled for IT and communication skills training at two centres in Delhi.

After the three-month long skill development training, the foundation ensures the placement of these candidates.

Tamana, an Afghan refugee who is studying at the Anudip Foundation, said, "I am pursuing classes at Anudip. I want to join work. So, this training will help me to get a job."

Mohebullah Selemankhil, who has been living in India since 2012, said, "After finishing my course at Anudip, I would like to continue my senior secondary education. After that, I will be joining college."

Tahmeena Noori migrated to India after her father was killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

A bank employee in Afghanistan, Tahmeena is now sharpening her skills to get a suitable job in India.

"Due to lots of problems in Afghanistan, the situation is not good. Women do not have the right to go out of their homes because the Taliban does not want them to continue their education," said Tahmeena.

"My father was killed by the Taliban and our family is so sad from then on, that we decided to leave Afghanistan and come to India," Tahmeena added.

After a three-month long skill development training, these students get placements in BPOs, IT firms, banks and other sectors in India.

"At the Malviya Nagar Centre, we have been able to train 50 Afghan people. Forty three have graduated and 30 candidates have been placed in different organisations in Delhi. In Bhogal, we are still continuing with the placements and have placed somewhere around 43," said Raja Khan, Operations Manager, Anudip Foundation.

As of end December 2014, there are some 10,395 Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR in India.