While honouring its commitment at International conference on the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees, Brazil is the first country which has announced a contribution of $250,000 in cash to Pakistan for the implementation of the strategy.
In a simple ceremony, Brazilian Ambassador to Pakistan Alfredo Leoni on Thursday officially handed over a cheque of the committed amount to Neill Wright, the UNHCR Representative in Pakistan. Engr Shaukatullah Khan, Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) and other ministry officials were also present on the occasion.
In his welcome address, Alfredo Leoni said that Brazil is an active supporter of the initiatives regarding internally displaced people and refugees in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, through contributions that were made in 2008-09 (US $200,000 to the Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund) and in 2011 (US $550,000 plus US $350,000 to UNHCR activities in the region), additionally to the one being announced today.
He said, "We realise the problem being faced by Pakistan in providing millions of Afghan refugees shelter in the country, therefore, we are here to help them to find a solution to the problem." The ambassador said that the matter was discussed at the International Conference on Afghan Refugees ("International Conference on the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees to Support Voluntary Repatriation, Sustainable Reintegration and Assistance to Host Countries"), held in Geneva, on May 2 and 3. Brazil saw the "Strategy" a central element to the stabilisation of Afghanistan and the preservation of the "asylum space" in Iran and Pakistan.
Minister for SAFRON said that Pakistan has been hosting Afghan Refugees for last 35 year, which is reflection of a soft corner for those refugees. He appreciated Government of Brazil for setting an example for the other countries by donating around Rs 23 million. "It will help other countries to follow the example of Brazil and help them by providing funds so that they could provide better facilities to Afghan refugees living in Pakistan", he urged.
A durable solution to the problem of Afghan refugees is a key to regional stability. Brazil supports the commitment of the international community to Afghanistan, made at the Bonn International Conference in December 2011, to remain engaged over the transformation decade from 2015-2024. Redoubled efforts for national reconciliation in Afghanistan, in accordance with its Constitution, are of great importance. Brazil is of the view that a sustainable peace process in Afghanistan should acknowledge the inter-relation between peace, security and development.
Neill Wright, the UNHCR Representative in Pakistan said that UNHCR has been providing assistance to Government of Pakistan and Afghanistan for voluntarily repatriation of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan. He said security and law and order situation was main factors not letting refugees to return to their home country. However, he said that they recently identified 48 places in Afghanistan which have no security threats and would persuade Afghan Refugees to return to these places. The UNHCR was also working in close co-ordination with Afghan Government in a bid to provide source of income to them there.
Brazilian Delegation at the International Conference on Afghan Refugees said that Brazil sees with great concern the protracted nature of the displacement of Afghan refugees. As this situation enters into its fourth decade, it brings negative consequences for the stabilisation of Afghanistan. My delegation highlights the important role played by developing countries in bearing the burden of hosting and assisting refugees all over the world.
Brazil has been able to make financial contributions to address the situation of Afghan refugees. In the last three years, Brazil contributed more than one million US dollars for the Trust Fund for the Reconstruction of Afghanistan and for UNHCR activities in Iran and Pakistan.