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Afghanistan: Refugees

Volume 703: debated on Tuesday 22 July 2008

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What is their reaction to the recent closure of the Afghan Jalozai refugee camp in Pakistan’s north-west province, and the return of 53,000 of its residents to Afghanistan. [HL4441]

The policy of refugee camp closure in Pakistan is endorsed by the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Residents of the Jalozai camp who chose to return to Afghanistan will have had the opportunity to do so under the auspices of the UNHCR voluntary repatriation programme. This programme provides an assisted repatriation package of $100 to all returnees. DfID and the British High Commission in Islamabad maintain close contact with UNHCR.