ISLAMABAD – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) hasdecided to suspend the repatriation process of Afghan refugees in Pakistanfor around four months due to cold weather.
According to a spokesperson of the UNHCR, the repatriation process will behalted from first of next month till 28th of February next year due to dropin temperature and severe cold.
He said all UNHCR centers in Pakistan and Afghanistan will remain closedduring the winter.
Registered Afghan refugees will not be given financial compensation in caseof return during the period.
The operation will resume from March next year.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United NationsMaleeha Lodhi handed over the enhanced contribution to Director UN Reliefand Works Agency, Peter Mulrean in New York.
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UNRWA ran into deep financial trouble earlier this year when the UnitedStates cut back its funding of the Agency by around three hundred milliondollars.
Speaking on the occasion, Maleeha Lodhi said the people of Pakistan havealways stood with their Palestinian brothers and sisters.
She said this assistance will help the UN agency to continue its reliefefforts and keep the schools and clinics open for Palestinian refugee.
In a video message on the occasion, the UNRWA’s Commissioner GeneralKrahenbuhl appreciated Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian refugees.
