Improved health care for Afghan refugees in Iran

Tehran, July 18, IRNA - A Euro 1,000,000 contribution by the German Government will enable UNHCR to provide vulnerable Afghan refugees with access to life-saving medicines and equipment and cover payment to hospitals for life saving medical treatment.

The German contribution will be used by UNHCR to support the Ministry of Health in construction of health houses in selected remote and deprived refugee areas, a press release issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees announced.

Financial assistance to cover medical costs related to life-threatening diseases and recruitment of 15 physicians are amongst other services this contribution is to cover.

An early contribution has been made by Norway towards planned UNHCR
resettlement activities in 2012, part of this amount is allocated for Iran.

Bernard Doyle, UNHCR Representative in Iran thanked the German and Norwegian governments for their generous contributions and said, “We are grateful for these contributions and we would welcome funding from other sources as well. He added, “Following the deteriorating economic situation of refugees their needs are becoming more acute. UNHCR calls for further support from the international community.”

Based on available statistics, there are slightly over 1 million Afghan registered refugees and some 42.000 Iraqi registered refugees residing in Iran./end