Newly repatriated families in Baghan need assistance

PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): Families who recently repatriated from neighbouring countries to northern Baghlan province say they have not yet received any assistance despite their deteriorating economic situation.

Mohammad Aziz, who returned from Pakistan, said “I repatriated to my hometown two and a half years back and my economic situation has since been bad and my problems multiplied.”

He said the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation had assured them of support but so far his family had received nothing in aid.

Another repatriated man Mualvi Serajuddin said: “I returned to my country in 2016 when the Ministry of Refugees promised one plot each to us but I did not receive that plot so far.”

He said he has documents of the plot signed by the minister of refugees but he could not get the plot.

Refugees and Repatriation Department Head Sharifullah Shafiq acknowledged the complaints of repatriates and said they had asked a charity organization for assistance but there had been no positive response from them.

He said in other provinces a number of welfare organizations were operating function but Baghlan despite being insecure hosted more refugees amid less welfare activities.

He said over 30,000 repatriated families were living in Baghlan after recently returning from neighboruing countries. Shafiq assured some families would be provided assistance soon.

nh/ma