Temporary refugees camps set up in Farah, Kunar

ASADABAD (Pajhwok): Temporary camps have been set up in Western Farah and eastern Kunar provinces for newly repatriated refugees, according to local officials on Thursday.

Pir Habiburrahman, head of the Agriculture and Irrigation Department in Kunar, told Pajhwok Afghan News a temporary camp has been established in the Saleh Kala locality on 180 acres area.

He said around 1,400 newly repatriated family will be provided with temporary residence in the camp.

“In coordination with the Governor House, we have formed a committee which headed by me, we are trying to provide all facilities for refugees in this temporary camp,” he said.

The Agriculture Department head said talks with the welfare organisations were underway to provide support to the vulnerable families.

He said currently 160 repatriated families had been settled in the camp and provided with all necessary facilities.

Separately, a temporary camp had been established in Farah province for refugees. According to the officials food, medicines and other facilities would be provided in the camp for repatriates.

Information and Cultural Affairs Director Mawlavi Abdul Hai Sabawoon said hundreds of families had returned to Farah province from Pakistan and all had been provided with residence and other basic facilities.

Mufti Ahmad Shakir, head of the Refugees Department, said: “Recently, 8,000 families had returned from Pakistan and 60 families from Iran and all had been provided with residence and other basic facilities.”

Repatriated people were also happy with the facilities provided to them.

Mohammad Hassan, one of the repatriated Afghan, said Pakistani government persecuted them and whatever he had it remained in Pakistan and they returned empty had.

Gul Jan, another refugee, said that Afghan government provided them with all facilities and demanded that government should give then permanent homes.

“We want a permanent residence, here we have all facilities but winter is coming and we need proper place for residence,” he said.

Pakistan has deported thousands of Afghan refugees without legal documents. Islamabad set November 1 as the deadline for the refugees to leave Pakistan.

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