October 7, 2001	Sunday	Rajab 19, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 6: The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is facing resistance in setting up refugee camps in the tribal areas.

Speaking at a press conference here on Saturday, UNHCR spokesperson said that aid workers were facing considerable difficulties in trying to set up camps in the tribal areas.

“In order to finalise security arrangements, UNHCR on Saturday temporarily postponed the deployment of staff to five sites in Kurram Agency. The preparatory work is expected to start in the Kurram Agency on Monday,” the spokesperson said.

About Khyber Agency, the spokesperson said that following discussions with the local community, work was expected to resume at the Malkano village and Shalman on Sunday.

According to the spokesperson, the local community blocked a bulldozer which was heading out to start clearing the road for a campsite on Thursday. The bulldozer was prevented from starting work and preparations were suspended pending talks with the population.

However, the issue of clearing the road in Khyber Agency was resolved later, the spokesperson said.

According to the UNHCR, initial basic work including demarcation, road development and provision of basic water and sanitation, would take around 10 days.

The UNHCR and its partners have selected 20 sites for development of new refugee camps. The sites, having a capacity to accommodate up to 200,000 new arrivals, would be ready within 15 days, a spokesperson said.

United Nations Information Centre Director Eric Falt said a 35-truck Unicef aid convoy will leave from Quetta for Afghanistan on Sunday.