Speaking to Tasnim during a visit to Iran’s northeastern city of Mashhad, UNHCR representative Ivo Freijsen said the burden of supporting the Afghan refugees and settling their problems falls mainly on Iran.
Pointing to the establishment of three centers in the Iranian provinces of Khorasan Razavi and Sistan and Balouchestan to host the Afghan refugees, he praised the Islamic Republic for providing the support single-handedly.
Deploring the scant aid from international organizations for the Afghan refugees in Iran, Freijsen said the UN member states must be informed of the reduced international support for the Afghan people residing in Iran.
In a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in September, Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres described Iran as a very influential country among the UN member states and praised the Islamic Republic for hosting the Afghan refugees generously.