Thousands more Afghans arrive in Pakistan

Briefing notes

Thousands more Afghans arrive in Pakistan

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

19 January 2001

UNHCR field staff have reported a dramatic rise in the numbers of desperate Afghans in need of urgent assistance.

More than 18,000 Afghans have gathered at Jalozai, some 35 km south-west of Peshawar, just a week after UNHCR had moved some 20,000 refugees it had found there to an existing refugee camp.

UNHCR is concerned about the welfare of these refugees since the new camp - Shamshatoo, which now hosts some 50,000 new refugees - is full to capacity. To alleviate the sufferings of thousands encamped at Jalozai, there is an urgent need to relocate them to a suitable site. UNHCR is seeking permission from the authorities for the use of an alternative site.

UNHCR has distributed tents (3,892), quilts (11, 676), kitchen sets (3,892) and jerry cans (3,892), and WFP has provided wheat flour, oil and pulses to the relocated refugees. UNHCR and NGOs are also scrambling to provide assistance to the new arrivals at Jalozai.