Japan donates US$2.5 million to UNHCR Pakistan
ISLAMABAD,
Pakistan, August 15 – The Government of Japan has contributed US$2.5
million to support the UN refugee agency’s assistance for Afghan
refugees in Pakistan.
“We are very grateful to the government and people of Japan for their
continued support for Afghans in Pakistan,” said UNHCR’s Deputy
Representative in Pakistan, Michael Zwack. “Japan has been a long-time
supporter of our work here, from annual contributions, to civil
initiatives like the peace pack, and refugee health screenings provided
by the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia.”
The US$2.5 million will go towards UNHCR’s projects in water, health
care, education and community development for Afghans living in camps.
“Afghans may be one of the largest and most protracted refugee
situations in the world, but Japan has not forgotten them, “said His
Excellency Mr. Seiji Kojima, Ambassador of the Japanese embassy in
Islamabad. He continued, “We are committed to helping them while the
search continues for more durable solutions to their plight.”
Globally, Japan has contributed more than US$60 million to UNHCR’s
operations worldwide so far this year.
There are currently about 2.5 million Afghans living in Pakistan,
including more than 1 million housed in 74 camps. So far this year, over
117,000 Afghans have repatriated with UNHCR assistance, bringing to 2.85
million the total number of Afghans who have returned home with UNHCR
since 2002.
In November, the UN refugee agency will support the Government of
Pakistan to register Afghans counted in the census of February-March
2005 in Pakistan. The registration exercise will provide a clearer
profile of Afghans in Pakistan, and help in developing policies for
voluntary repatriation and to manage the future of this population.
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