Afghan

UN rights expert urges immediate release of Italian journalist held in Afghanistan

12 March 2007
A United Nations human rights expert today issued a strong appeal for the release of Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo and his aides, who are reportedly being held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

After record Afghan crop in 2006, opium production could rise yet again, UN reports

5 March 2007
Opium production in Afghanistan, a $3-billion-a-year trade accounting for more than 90 per cent of the world’s illegal output, could rise again this year after a nearly 60 per cent increase in 2006, due to the ousted Taliban using the trade in the raw material for heroin to fund their war, according to a new United Nations survey released today.

Afghanistan: UN mission calls for calm after deadly clash that reportedly killed civilians

5 March 2007
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) today called for calm after yesterday’s suicide bombing and shooting on a highway in the east of the country in which civilians are reported to have been killed and injured after a United States convoy was ambushed.
Afghan returnees bundle up for long ride home

UN repatriation programme for Afghans in Pakistan resumes after winter break

2 March 2007
The United Nations refugee agency has resumed the voluntary repatriation of Afghans in Pakistan after a winter break, the sixth year of the largest such operation in the agency’s history that has already seen over 2.87 million Afghans return from Pakistan, and another 1.5 million from Iran.
Afghans air concerns in meeting at Katchagari camp

UN refugee agency official plans for future of Afghan refugees in Pakistan

22 February 2007
Meeting with Pakistani Government officials and Afghan refugees in a four-day visit to the region this week, a senior United Nations refugee agency official said that she is carefully reviewing plans for voluntary repatriation and refugee camp closures.
ASG Margareta Wahlström

Fighting in southern Afghanistan hampering UN humanitarian efforts

21 February 2007
Security concerns and moving battle fronts in southern Afghanistan are severely limiting efforts to aid the local population in the battle-scarred region, a senior United Nations humanitarian official said today.

UN mission in Afghanistan expands presence to foster stability – envoy

19 February 2007
Responding to Afghanistan's need for greater stability, the United Nations Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMA) has established new offices in the provinces, its chief said today.

UN official arrives in Afghanistan to review aid effort

18 February 2007
A senior United Nations humanitarian official today began a five-day visit to Afghanistan to see how the world body can better deliver relief aid to the war-torn country.
Afghans line up to collect registration cards

Over 2 million Afghan refugees registered in Pakistan, UN refugee agency reports

16 February 2007
A four-month drive to officially register Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan ended yesterday with more than 2 million of them – three out of five being women and children under five years of age – registering with the Pakistani Government, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Camps in Pakistan housing more than 230,000 Afghan refugees to be closed – UN

8 February 2007
Citing security and development concerns, the United Nations refugee agency, Pakistan and Afghanistan have made plans to close four camps, accommodating more than 230,000 Afghan refugees, by the end of this summer, while providing residents with repatriation and relocation options.