26-11-2008
UN praises Iran's work with refugees from Afghanistan
Iran has received the highest praise from the UN in regards to its treatment of, and ongoing work with Afghan refugees. Antonia Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees recently visited the Torbat-e-Jam, a refugee camp located 80 kilometres from Iran’s border with Afghanistan. 5000 refugees live in this particular camp which was established by the Iranian government ten years ago.
‘This is probably the best refugee camp in the world’ he commented as walked around the area noting the proper brick houses, sanitation services, schools, mosques and hospitals. ‘The rest of the world should take note and bear in mind that all of this was done with little outside help from anyone or any agency. I have visited many awful places where refugees are house and this place warms my heart.'
The Iranian Government for its part welcomed the praise and assured the UN Chief that they would continue their good work with the over 1 million Afghan refugees that are currently residing in Iran. 'However the best solution would be for these people to return to their homes: there are few groups that have suffered as much as the Afghan people have in recent decades’ Guterres noted.
| 
