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ISLAMABAD: The Government of Japan on Wednesday pledged a contribution of $2.7 million to support refugees and host communities across Pakistan.
Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Takashi Kurai, and UNHCR Country Representative in Pakistan, Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, signed the agreement with the Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, Saleem Khan, in Islamabad at the UNHCR’s office.
This contribution will support the UN Refugee Agency’s interventions in the areas of health, livelihoods, as well as provision of legal support to around 1.39 million registered Afghan refugees, the UNHCR said in a statement.
“The new funding will benefit some 475,000 refugees and youth in host communities in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Punjab,” the statement added.
The UN Refugee Agency said a part of Japan’s contribution will be invested in the health sector to improve access to health care services in Pakistan.
“This will support some 430,000 Afghan refugees with health issues. The assistance also will provide legal aid services for Afghan refugees,” it added.
The UNHCR’s aid and legal advice program is implemented through partners in nine centers in the main refugee-hosting areas across Pakistan.
Speaking at the occasion, Menikdiwela commended the people and Government of Japan for the contribution saying this will allow the UNHCR to continue supporting vulnerable Afghan refugees and youth of the Pakistani host communities.
“Such support will have a positive impact on the lives of Afghan refugees, allowing them access to better health care services and livelihood opportunities, as well as legal support,” Menikdiwela said.
Ambassador Kurai hoped the grant aid would be fully utilized for the future of Afghan refugees and host communities, especially young generations, and mitigate the burden of host communities. “I am glad that not only Afghan refugees but also Pakistani youth in host communities will receive vocational training with Japan’s contribution so that they can contribute to the development of the two countries,” he said.
“Pakistan continues to host 1.39 million Afghan refugees. Around 4.3 million Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan since 2002,” the UNHCR said.
Early this week, Afghanistan’s Deputy Ambassador to Pakistan Zardasht Shams told Arab News that Kabul wants the refugees to return. His statement came days after Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that nationality would be granted to Afghans born in Pakistan.