ISLAMABAD, 02 February (Online): UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today launched a one-time cash assistance scheme for some 1.3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan affected by devastating 2022 floods as well as the prevailing economic situation. <\/p>\n
The assistance is being provided, in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, to reach refugees who are not eligible to access social safety nets available to Pakistani citizens. The initiative is modelled on the Government\u2019s emergency cash programme for vulnerable Pakistani families affected by floods. Registered Afghan refugees will receive up to PKR 25,000, adjusted depending on the family size. <\/p>\n
The Minister for State and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), Muhammad Talha Mahmood, and Habib Bank Limited\u2019s Chief Representative, Mr. Mohammad Ali Syed launched the scheme on Thursday with UNHCR\u2019s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Indrika Ratwatte. Representatives from different donor countries also attended the event. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are honoured to work together with our long-standing partner, the Government of Pakistan, through its SAFRON Ministry, as well as Habib Bank Limited \u2014 for the first time \u2014 to support Afghans affected by the devastating floods and who remain in difficult economic circumstances. This support comes in addition to UNHCR\u2019s emergency flood response for Afghan refugees and affected Pakistani host communities,\u201d said Mr. Ratwatte. <\/p>\n
He added \u201cthe partnership is UNHCR\u2019s first private sector engagement with the country\u2019s banking system and is a great example of the commitment of the Government and private sector in the country to find innovative approaches to support vulnerable Afghans. I hope this partnership is something we can build on further, including in the lead up to the Global Refugee Forum later this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
UNHCR continues working with Pakistan as it recovers from the aftermath of last year\u2019s devastating floods, with a special focus on areas hosting refugees. Some 800,000 refugees live in areas that were impacted by the devastating monsoon. <\/p>\n
Muhammad Talha Mahmood, the Minister of SAFRON, welcomed ongoing international support for Afghan refugees and host communities in Pakistan. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have generously supported Afghan refugees in our country for over four decades. Even as we face our own challenges, we remain committed to our promise to help. But we cannot do it alone and call for additional international support at this time in line with the global commitment to share responsibility for refugees made under the UN Refugee Compact.\u201d <\/p>\n
Habib Bank Limited\u2019s Chief Representative, Mr. Mohammad Ali Syed welcomed the opportunity to team up with UNHCR and the Government of Pakistan to deliver cash assistance. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur bank is committed to high standards of delivery and accountability. We are proud to do our part and to demonstrate how our advanced banking system can efficiently deliver this important humanitarian cash assistance to refugees in Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Sustained international support for Pakistan is required to find solutions for Afghan refugees, particularly within the framework of the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees. For more information: https:\/\/ssar-platform.org\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, 02 February (Online): UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today launched a one-time cash assistance scheme for some 1.3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan affected by devastating 2022 floods as well as the prevailing economic situation. The assistance is being provided, in collaboration with the […]<\/p>\n
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