UNHCR plans camp, carpet factory for returnees in Kabul — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): The UN refugee agency in Afghanistan plans to establish a camp and a carpet-weaving factory for returning migrants in Pul-i-Charkhi, Kabul, an official said. The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR) said in a statement on Tuesday that Abdul Rahman Rashid, the ministry’s technical deputy, met with Vanessa Materioli, deputy representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Afghanistan. According to the statement, the two sides discussed challenges facing returnees, the establishment of a camp and carpet factory, and ways to provide additional services to returning migrants. Rashid said that under current circumstances, the Islamic Emirate was unable to allocate land to different groups of people. However, land would be allocated to returning migrants under the principles of support programmes. The UNHCR official appreciated the ministry’s cooperation, saying the agency had previously operated a cash assistance distribution centre for migrants in Pul-i-Charkhi and had now decided to provide various services to returnees in cooperation with the ministry and other organizations. She added that an initial plan for the camp and carpet factory had been prepared and that practical work on the project would begin once land-related issues were resolved. Meanwhile, a representative of Kabul Municipality welcomed the initiative and stressed the need for joint cooperation to address the challenges faced by returning migrants.