Tehran Seeks Support of International Community for Afghan Refugees in Iran

On Sunday, Qomi discussed international support for Afghan refugees with Stefan Priesner, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Iran.

Iran’s special envoy said on social media platform X wrote that diplomacy with the United Nations within the framework of the national development plan and defining a specific roadmap, in order to attract international support for Afghan refugees, is one of the important issues pursued by Iran.

Qomi also announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the training of Afghans in the health sector.

According to him, this memorandum had been signed between Sathya Doraiswamy, the UNFPA Representative in Tehran, and Abolfazl Bagherifard, Deputy Minister of Health of Iran.

The Iranian special envoy said that based on this memorandum, the skill level of a number of Afghan nurses and midwives will be improved.

After the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, thousands of Afghans fled to neighbouring countries, including Iran. According to the statements of some officials of the Islamic Republic, around five million Afghan refugees are currently based in Iran. However, every week, the Islamic Republic forcibly deports many of them and hands them over to the Taliban.