Host nations to help Afghan refugees: Anwari

KABUL): The minister of refugee and repatriation affairs said on Wednesday the international community and regional countries have pledged facilities for the Afghans who are ready to return home.

The pledges were held out at a conference on “Voluntary repatriation, reintegration and assistance with host countries” in Geneva on May 1, Jamahir Anwari told a news conference in Kabul.

Representatives from 57 countries, including Pakistan and Iran, attended the meeting in Switzerland. He said the participating countries had promised to pave the way for the repatriation of Afghans, provide them shelters, employment opportunities and vocational training.

The Afghans who do not want to return to their homeland will be provided with health and other facilities by the host countries.

Anwari said 57 Islamic countries’ representatives, who attended another meeting in Tajikistan on May 11, also made promises to support Afghan refugees. “I assure you the problems of refugees will be resolved.”

mm/frm/mud