UNHCR Official
Iran's Supports for Refugees "Exemplary"
TEHRAN (FNA)- Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Office in Iran Sivanka Dhanapala praised Iran's "exemplary" hospitality and assistance to refugees.
"The measures taken to provide health insurance coverage to refugees in the Islamic Republic of Iran are unmatched at the global level," Dhanapala said, addressing a ceremony in the province of Fars, Southern Iran, on Tuesday evening.
He said that Iran and Pakistan are hosting the highest number of Afghan refugees, adding, "Iran has provided the best conditions for them in education, living conditions and medical treatment."
Dhanapala reiterated that Iran's endeavors are unparalleled by any country hosting foreign displaced refugees.
In January, Dhanapala said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran has been hosting one of the largest urban populations of refugees in the world in the last three decades," Dhanapala said.
He noted that the Iranian government has in various emergency conditions properly heeded its responsibilities in offering humanitarian contributions most effectively.
Iran has been a generous host for more than 2 million Afghan refugees for three decades, with little help from the international community.
Tehran has called on the international community to strengthen support for Iran for hosting the Afghan refugees and provide repatriation support for the refugees.
Voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees from Iran has slowed in recent years in the face of poor security and economic conditions in Afghanistan, which Tehran blames on the US-led invasion of the country in 2001.
UNHCR first opened an office in Iran in 1984 and expanded its presence with the massive influx of Iraqi refugees following the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and the start of Afghans' mass return movement to Afghanistan in 1992.
Today UNHCR has its Central office representation in Tehran, plus three sub offices in Mashhad, Kerman and Shiraz.
** Sivanka Dhanapala (R)
"The measures taken to provide health insurance coverage to refugees in the Islamic Republic of Iran are unmatched at the global level," Dhanapala said, addressing a ceremony in the province of Fars, Southern Iran, on Tuesday evening.
He said that Iran and Pakistan are hosting the highest number of Afghan refugees, adding, "Iran has provided the best conditions for them in education, living conditions and medical treatment."
Dhanapala reiterated that Iran's endeavors are unparalleled by any country hosting foreign displaced refugees.
In January, Dhanapala said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran has been hosting one of the largest urban populations of refugees in the world in the last three decades," Dhanapala said.
He noted that the Iranian government has in various emergency conditions properly heeded its responsibilities in offering humanitarian contributions most effectively.
Iran has been a generous host for more than 2 million Afghan refugees for three decades, with little help from the international community.
Tehran has called on the international community to strengthen support for Iran for hosting the Afghan refugees and provide repatriation support for the refugees.
Voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees from Iran has slowed in recent years in the face of poor security and economic conditions in Afghanistan, which Tehran blames on the US-led invasion of the country in 2001.
UNHCR first opened an office in Iran in 1984 and expanded its presence with the massive influx of Iraqi refugees following the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and the start of Afghans' mass return movement to Afghanistan in 1992.
Today UNHCR has its Central office representation in Tehran, plus three sub offices in Mashhad, Kerman and Shiraz.
** Sivanka Dhanapala (R)