DATE=4/19/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-288914

TITLE= U-N/AFGHAN REFUGEES (L-O)

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United Nations says that in the past seven weeks, nearly 300-thousand Afghan refugees have returned from Pakistan and Iran under a special repatriation program. The head of the U-N refugee agency, U-N-H-C-R, says urgent funds are needed to handle the growing number of Afghan returnees. Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad.

TEXT: U-N High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers says more than 280-thousand refugees have gone home from Pakistan under the voluntary repatriation program. Another 10-thousand, he says, have left Iran in the past week.

Mr. Lubbers is in the region to assess the repatriation programs. He arrived in Pakistan from Afghanistan and also visited Iran. He says the security situation is improving in Afghanistan.

/// LUBBERS ACT ///

Afghanistan is safe for 70-to-80 percent, safe enough for returnees to make the choice, "I go home." You read news sometimes, you think it is (the security situation) deteriorating. I think it's not. Step by step, we can diminish that percentage of lack of security. We are in a process to make it more safe and secure.

/// END ACT ///

The U-N refugee agency is providing returnees with plastic sheeting, stoves, blankets, quilts, food and 10 dollars per person for transportation costs to their home areas. Mr. Lubbers says the United Nations expects more than one-million refugees and displaced people within Afghanistan to return to their homes this year.

But he says the aid agency is running out of money to fund the repatriation program, which costs up to 25-million dollars a month.

/// LUBBERS ACT ///

Up 'till now, it's functioning. It's a bit scary that the operation is going well, maybe even bigger numbers (will go home), and then you need more money. So, we really need money of the international donor community.

/// END ACT ///

There are nearly four-million Afghans living in camps and cities in both Pakistan and Iran. (SIGNED)

NEB/AG/TW