Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed gratefulness to the Russian authorities for their contribution and support to Iran for hosting Afghan refugees.MOSCOW, December 7 (Sputnik) Providing humanitarian aid toAfghan refugees inIran was partly possible thanks toRussia's contribution of $100,000, the Office ofthe UN High Commissioner forRefugees (UNHCR) said Sunday."The provision ofhygiene and sanitary items torefugees who could otherwise not afford them was possible inpart throughthe generosity ofthe Russian Federation, who contributed 100,000 US dollars tomeet the basic needs ofrefugees inIran," the UN refugee agency said ina statement.
UNHCR's Representative inIran Sivanka Dhanapala also expressed gratefulness tothe Russian authorities fortheir assistance and support.
"We greatly appreciate the humanitarian commitment ofthe Russian Federation and its people insupporting and protecting refugees inthe Islamic Republic ofIran," Dhanapala was quoted assaying inthe statement.
According tothe UNHCR website, it has distributed hygiene products toabout 100,000 refugees sincethe beginning of2014.
Afghanistan has long been fighting the Taliban movement aswell asother insurgent groups that control large swathes ofthe country. The conflict has led tothe displacement ofmany Afghans, some ofwhom have fled tothe neighboring Iran.
UNHCR has helped Kabul prepare a draft national refugee and asylum law that is expected tobe included inthe 2015 legislation agenda tohelp reintegrate the refugees willing toreturn toAfghanistan.
By Sputnik News
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