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24 October 2001
Afghanistan's
Humanitarian Crisis - The UNHCR Response
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees,
the UNHCR, is appealing to all countries to
all countries surrounding Afghanistan to open their borders to those
fleeing the
conflict. We are asking governments to offer temporary protection
to those in need.
We are co-ordinating efforts to bring
life-saving supplies including food, blankets, tents and medical
aid to the region. To date, more than an estimated 70,000 Afghans
have fled to Pakistan. With the border officially closed, most have
come through unofficial crossing points, sometimes paying local
smugglers to show them the way.
We are also preparing refugee camps
along Afghanistan's southern border. In Pakistan, work is underway
on sites in North West Frontier Province and in Baluchistan, where
up to three hundred thousand refugees could be cared for. We have
also set up a staging site 2 km from the Chaman border point into
Baluchistan. This temporary camp is designed for the most vulnerable
refugees; the sick, elderly, women and children and forms part of
our response to the events at the Chaman border over the weekend.
In the meantime, work continues on two longer-term sites about 20
km from Chaman, which will be able to house 50,000 refugees.
In Iran, the situation on the border
remains calm, with no reports of large-scale movements. There are
however indications that about 1,200 people are massing in the town
of Zaranj, near Afghanistan's Nimroz province. The Iranian authorities
have agreed to the establishment of camps in the no-man's land along
the border.
UNHCR has received some $31 million
dollars in cash contributions from donor governments to date. This
represents less than two thirds of the needs ($50 million) for the
first phase of our humanitarian operation. This first phase involves
providing shelter and relief supplies for 300,000 refugees in Pakistan
and 100,000 refugees in Iran. If this funding shortfall continues,
we are concerned about the implications for our humanitarian relief
efforts.
Our UK charitable
affiliate, RefAid, is also appealing for funds to support our emergency
relief operations. Donations can be made online at www.refaid.org.uk.
Ends
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