Military

DATE=02/14/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N-H-C-R / AFHGAN REFUGEES (L-O)

NUMBER=2-286448

BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN

DATELINE=GENEVA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United Nations Refugee Agency, U-N-H-C-R, says it is stepping up its assistance program for Afghan refugees returning home on their own from Pakistan and Iran. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports the agency says more than 143-thousand Afghans have spontaneously returned since the beginning of the year.

TEXT: The U-N Refugee Agency says thousands of Afghans are going home every day. U-N-H-C-R spokesman, Peter Kessler says most are single men who come from Afghanistan's minority ethnic communities, such as Tajiks, Hazars and Uzbeks. And he says their return is a good sign for the country.

///KESSLER ACT///

These people, a good proportion, are also educated and up to the university level. So, that means that an important part of Afghanistan's intellectual and educated base is starting to go back to look for work.

///END ACT///

Beginning March 1st, the U-N-H-C-R is planning to provide assistance to returning refugees. Mr. Kessler says each family will receive one-hundred dollars to help finance their transport home. He says they will receive relief kits, which include wheat, plastic tarpaulins, blankets, clothes and agricultural tools.

///2ND KESSLER ACT///

We hope this return operation will help to give those people who are thinking about getting back into their homeland the boost they need to go back in the coming months. But, indeed our message is that the U-N-H-C-R itself probably will not start its own organized return possibly even until next year depending on how the situation inside Afghanistan develops. /// OPT /// Nevertheless, people are going back and we want to give them some of the help they need to deal with the difficulties they face in getting re-established.

///END ACT///

While most Afghans return voluntarily, the U-N-H-C-R says it is concerned that several hundred refugees have been forcibly deported by Pakistan and Iran. Both countries host about three-and-one-half million Afghan refugees and they reportedly are eager to see them return home. (Signed)

NEB/LS/GE/MEM