2 temporary camps set up for returnees in Torkham

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR) says more than 16,000 Afghan migrants have returned to the country via Torkham crossing over the past 24 hours.

In a statement, MoRR said acting minister Khalil Rahman Haqqani and members of a recently created commission closely assessed the situation of deportees at the Torkham crossing..

According to the statement, over 12,000 Afghan refugees returned from Pakistan. Two camps with the capacity to host 5,000 individuals were inaugurated by the minister.

Haqqani said all basic facilities were being provided to the returnees and so far, 150,000 refugees had come back to the country via Torkham.

Meanwhile, Minister of Telecommunication and Information Technology Maulvi Najibullah Haqqani said the returnees were being offered services such as SIM cards and internet through newly installed antennas at the camps.

Maulvi Abdul Saboor Abu Dajana, chief of the 201^st Khalid bin Walid Military Corps, said the returnees were provided with drinking water and transportation services.

Corps spokesman Maulvi Wahidullah Mohammadi told Pajhwok Afghan News in accordance with guidance from the corps chief, a number of vehicles had been sent to Torkham to help the returnees.

According to Mohammadi’s information, the vehicles reached the busy crossing last night and had started delivering services.

Water tankers, mobile toilets, excavators, trailers and other vehicles are included in this convoy.

The corps chief has advised all brigade commanders to use their vehicles and facilities in coordination with the authorities of Nangarhar and Kunar provinces to solve the problems of the Afghan refugees as soon as possible.

About two billion afghanis have been allocated for the purpose of providing basic aid to the returnees, who welcomed the presence of officials at the crossing and the services offered to them.

Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, a spokesman for MoRR, said different services were being provided by the commission’s committees in Torkham.

He said a number of waiting areas had been established and work on expanding a temporary camp and creating more waiting areas was underway.

aw/sa/mud

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