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Five things you should know about Afghanistan
Over the past year, parts of Afghanistan have become safer, but the country is in the grip of a humanitarian crisis.
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High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi’s message on World Refugee Day, 20 June 2022
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UNHCR commemorates World refugee Day in Iran for the first time since COVID-19
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Around UNHCR Iran
Iran’s long history of hosting refugees goes back to the 16th century.
Iran is among the top 10 refugee hosting countries globally and its history of hosting refugees goes back to the 16th century. Watch the short video to learn more!
For Sultan Zoori, an Afghan refugee in Iran, having health insurance proved to be a lifesaver.
Iran is one of the few countries in the world that allows refugees to have health insurance, the same as nationals, through the Universal Public Health Insurance scheme. Health insurance aims to provide the most vulnerable refugees with desperately needed access to medical care, including surgeries, dialysis, radiology, laboratory tests and much more at subsidized cost.
Representatives of the Iran UN Country Team met with Iran’s Minister of Health and Medical Education
H.E. Bahram Einollahi, the Minister of Health and Medical Education, and other officials discussed the UN country team’s collective efforts to support the government’s existing health system. The UNHCR Representative in Iran, Ivo Freijsen, noted that supporting health care in refugee settlements and hosting areas is a key component of UNHCR’s protection mandate and a life-saving operational priority.
Supporting refugees to have access to livelihood opportunities
In Iran, UNHCR implements various livelihood projects for refugees, including certified technical and vocational training and other income generating projects. UNHCR Iran Representative, Ivo Freijsen was in Bani Najar refugee settlement recently where he visited a skills training workshop run by the refugees.
Distribution of core relief items to Afghan families residing in Kerman province
UNHCR and our government partner BAFIA have distributed core relief items to Afghan families residing in Kerman province. Some 500 families – refugees who live in these areas and those Afghans who have recently arrived in Iran – received items such as, blankets, kitchen sets, sleeping mats and hygiene kits.
An Afghan refugee realized her dream to become a photographer to capture heartfelt moments of life.
Roya Kholoosi always dreamt of becoming a photographer, but she did not have the means to pursue her passion. She invested whatever little savings she had to buy a second-hand camera and started mastering her artistic skills. “I want to capture the heartfelt moments of life and make them eternal,” says this 25-years old Afghan refugee photographer.