UNHCR asks world to share Afghan refugees’ burden
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
slamabad, June 26, IRNA -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has asked the world community to share additional burden by helping Pakistan overcome the issue of 1.7 million Afghan refugees living in camps and urban centers across the country.
The UNHCR chief in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, Ms Tayyiba Hasan Sharif said that Pakistan has been housing largest group of refugees with longest time in the history of the UN.
Speaking at a workshop in the city of Quetta, she commended the effort of Pakistan saying the response of the government of Pakistan for hosting millions of refugees for over 30 years was positive and laudable.
"Credit goes to Pakistan who, despite all difficulties and financial crunch, strove hard to provide the basic facilities to the millions of refugees accommodated in camps and urban areas in Pakistan", she added.
She noted that UNHCR in collaboration with the Pakistan has repatriated about 3.7 million Afghans to their native country since 2002.
"Currently 1.7 million refugees are registered with UNHCR in Pakistan. Of them, as many as 352.610 registered people are sheltered at camps and rural centers in Balochistan".
Lack of refugee's laws in Pakistan is creating problems both for government and international organizations working for the welfare of the refugees, Tayyiba Hasan said.
"UNHCR under the Refugee Affected Housing Areas (RAHA) project completed 60 development schemes worth $3.60 million carried out in parts of Balochistan during the span of year 2011," Tayyiba said adding strategy has been evolved to initiate and complete development projects worth $5 million in the refugee areas in Balochistan during the year 2012-2013.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 1021691
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