ISLAMABAD: Delegates from more than 40 countries have joined their hands in Geneva in a two-day international conference on Wednesday to find out solution for more than 3 million Afghan refugees and to support 5.7 million returnees in Afghanistan.
The "International Conference on the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees to Support Voluntary Repatriation, Sustainable Reintegration and Assistance to Host Countries" is being co-sponsored by the UN refugee agency and the government of Switzerland, says a press release received here.
High-level delegations from Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan were attending the conference to discuss problems of Afghan refugees and returnees and to suggest strategy to overcome them.
Around 3 million Afghan refugees are still living outside their country following decades of conflict and unrest in Afghanistan, with 1.7 million in Pakistan and 1 million in Iran.
The conference is discussing a solution strategy and the establishment of follow-up mechanisms for implementation as the refugee situation enters its fourth decade and there is a sense of asylum fatigue in the host countries.
A strategy to sustain international solidarity and burden-sharing is critical issue and Afghan displacement is one of the most complex and protracted refugee situations in the world.
Afghanistan and its neighbours need continuing international support to achieve lasting solutions.
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