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29/10/2003
UNHCR report 2.5m refugees return to Afghan
It has been revealed that more than 2.5 million Afghans have returned to their homeland since a repatriation programme began in March last year.
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the number of people returning from Iran has just passed 600,000. The agency said the number returning from Pakistan has now topped 1.9 million.
Spokesman Kris Janowski said most refugees returned to central and northern Afghanistan, but that about a quarter remained in the country's west, which borders Iran.
UNHCR estimates about 1.1 million refugees remain in camps inside Pakistan, and another 1 million live in Iran.
UNHCR's representative in Pakistan, Hasim Utkan, described the current period as "especially rewarding" given the volume of refugees who left Afghanistan for Pakistan since 1979.
The UNHCR supplies returning refugees with transport, a travel grant, food, relief items and the opportunity to take part in a shelter programme.
UNHCR organized the repatriation scheme in concert with the governments of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, and ends in 2005.
(gmcg)
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the number of people returning from Iran has just passed 600,000. The agency said the number returning from Pakistan has now topped 1.9 million.
Spokesman Kris Janowski said most refugees returned to central and northern Afghanistan, but that about a quarter remained in the country's west, which borders Iran.
UNHCR estimates about 1.1 million refugees remain in camps inside Pakistan, and another 1 million live in Iran.
UNHCR's representative in Pakistan, Hasim Utkan, described the current period as "especially rewarding" given the volume of refugees who left Afghanistan for Pakistan since 1979.
The UNHCR supplies returning refugees with transport, a travel grant, food, relief items and the opportunity to take part in a shelter programme.
UNHCR organized the repatriation scheme in concert with the governments of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, and ends in 2005.
(gmcg)
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