§ Julie MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the funding implications are of the agreement between UNHCR, the Iranian Government and the Afghan Interim Administration on resettling the 2.2 million Afghan refugees from Iran to Afghanistan; and what Britain's contribution to this funding is. [80717]
§ Clare Short[holding answer 18 November 2002]: On 3 April 2002, at the time of signing, the Tripartite agreement with the governments of Iran and Afghanistan, UNHCR estimated that some 1.5 million Afghan refugees were in Iran. In 2002, UNHCR allocated 6 million specifically for assistance to the Afghan refugees in Iran.
Following the signing of this agreement, 400,000 Afghan refugees have voluntarily returned to Afghanistan from Iran. UNHCR estimate a voluntary repatriation of a further 500,000 Afghan refugees from Iran in 2003. In 2003, The UNHCR appeal has earmarked US$198m specifically for Afghan Internally Displaced Persons and Afghan refugees returning from Iran, Pakistan and the five central Asian states.
Since September 2001, the UK has contributed over 5m to UNHCR for their programmes of assistance to Afghan refugees. Of our overall contribution to Afghanistan over lm has been specifically designated for Afghan refugees in Iran. We are also supporting a number of other humanitarian programmes which will help to create an environment for the sustainable return of both refugees and Internally Displaced Persons.
§ Julie MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the level of funding to UNHCR for support to Afghan refugees in Iran has been in each of the last five years; and what the UK contribution has been. [80718]
§ Clare Short[holding answer 18 November 2002]: Since September 2001, the UK has contributed over £5million to UNHCR for their programmes of assistance to Afghan refugees. Of our overall contribution to Afghanistan over £1 million has been specifically designated for Afghan refugees in Iran. We are also supporting a number of other humanitarian programmes which will help create an environment for the sustainable return of both refugees and Internally Displaced Persons.
The level of UNHCR funding to Afghan refugees in Iran over the last five years 1998—2002 inclusive is as follows:
850W
£ 1998 9,556,733 1999 10,660,773 2000 9,238,962 2001 9,089,776 2002 14,736,383 The UK contribution as a whole to displaced persons within Afghanistan and Afghan refugees in Iran, Pakistan and the five central Asian states through UNHCR over the last five years 1998—2002 inclusive is as follows:
£ 1998 1,024,984 1999 0 2000 997,437 2001 2,351,057 2002 5,003,203