ISLAMABAD, Sept 4: The number of refugees going back to Afghanistan has remained steady at more than 10,000 returnees a week for the last one-and-a-half months, says latest UNHCR brief.

The statistics compiled by UNHCR demonstrate a strong continuing momentum. They show that so far this year, more than 420,000 Afghans have gone back from Pakistan, Iran and 14 other countries.

“To help the returnees cover their transport costs, UNHCR has so far provided more than $3.5 million in travel grants. More than 6,000 metric tons of World Food Programme wheat flour has been distributed to returning refugees, and we’ve handed out more than 78,000 plastic tarpaulins and other relief items,” maintains the UNHCR brief.