July 04, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 29, 1429

ISLAMABAD, July 3: Germany will provide Rs90 million in order to assist Afghan refugees in Pakistan to return to their home country.

The amount will be released in two equal instalments in two consecutive years — 2008 and 2009 — to the UNHCR especially for spending on special assistance fund of the registration information project for Afghan citizens.

According to a press release, the amount will be used to support a programme to ensure access to justice, legal status of beneficiaries in Pakistan up to expiry of the proof of registration card, access to identity documents and services to update these.

The funds will also be utilised for building on vocational training projects, small business management, tailoring, carpentry, handicraft and health professionals. The UNHCR will design the course of training which would be imparted in collaboration with Pakistan-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

In the education sector, funds would be utilised in language training, cultural orientation, vocational training, teacher training, rehabilitation of water schemes and improving water schemes.

It will also be used to improve infrastructure, access to schools, medical services, etc., for people with disabilities, provide construction supplies and add on to existing shelter programmes and provide sanitary facilities.

This project is one element of Germany’s initiative in the framework of the G-8 to promote cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, an initiative launched on May 30, 2007 in Potsdam under the German G-8 presidency.