UNHCR opens new repatriation centre in KP

NOWSHERA: The United National High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Wednesday inaugurated its second voluntary repatriation centre in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to facilitate the return of Afghan refugees to Afghanistan.

With the opening of the new centre in Azakhel in Nowshera, about 40 kilometres east of Peshawar, UNHCR now has the capacity to facilitate the return of up to 10,000 refugees every day through the Torkham border crossing.

A high-level delegation comprising the ambassadors of Afghanistan, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, European Union, Charge d’Affaires of the Netherlands, head of ECHO Pakistan, Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, Dr Imran Zeb Khan and UNHCR Representative, Indrika Ratwatte attended the inauguration ceremony held at Azakhel Repatriation Centre.

UNHCR Representative in Pakistan, Indrika Ratwatte commended the government of Pakistan for extending the stay of Afghans refugee in Pakistan until March 31, 2017. “The extension is an important decision by the Government of Pakistan, which recognises the importance of policies to manage the legal stay of registered Afghans in Pakistan,” Ratwatte added.

Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, Dr Imran Zeb Khan said: “The Government of Pakistan has ensured that the repatriation remains voluntary and that returns are conducted in safety and dignity.”

Dr. Zeb acknowledged the commitment and ownership of Afghanistan to facilitate the repatriation of Afghans and the steps taken to enable their sustainable reintegration.

Welcoming the returnees to Afghanistan, Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Omar Zakhilwal encouraged Afghan refugees to return to their homeland despite the challenges and to join the nation-building process.

Zakhilwal said: “The repatriation remains voluntary and the fact that Afghan refugees are returning of their free will demonstrates confidence in the efforts of the unity government in Afghanistan.”The delegation visited Chamkani in Peshawar and the newly operational Azakhel centres and met elders of the Afghan refugees.

The repatriation centres in Azakhel and Chamkani are supported by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO). The UNHCR has acquired additional land for the increased numbers of vehicles onsite and has also established dedicated spaces for children in both locations.