UNHCR offers winterised return packages to returning Afghan refugees

The package includes blankets, quilts, plastic sheets and a one-time free transport support.

PESHAWAR: The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has announced an enhanced return package  for every registered Afghan refugee family who is returning voluntarily to Afghanistan for the remaining duration of 2012.

The package includes various types of non-food items, such as blankets, quilts, plastic sheets and a number of other items. These are being distributed to returning families at the Chamkani, Timergara and Baleli Voluntary Repatriation Centers (VRCs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Returning refugee families will also be offered a one-time free transport support. For those who wish to avail it, this facility will transport refugees from the VRCs to the Encashment Centers in Afghanistan.

The special package will be provided only until 31 December 2012, however, voluntary repatriation operations will continue beyond 2012.

Meanwhile the standard $150 cash assistance for returning refugees by UNHCR continues, but will be subject to a review.

A notice issued on Wednesday said that due to Eid holidays, the voluntary repatriation process would be temporarily suspended in Pakistan and Afghanistan from October 25 to October 29 2012.

During this period, the VRCs in Chamkani, Timergara and Baleli, and the Encashment Centers inside Afghanistan will be closed.

For further information, the UNHCR helpline numbers are: Islamabad -0300-5018698, Peshawar- 0300-8585600, - Quetta 0333-7819601, Karachi- 0342- 2704 888, Lahore & Haripur - 0300-501-8698