JALOZAI, Nov 10: The Aid Society for Afghan Refugees, a Dubai-based welfare organization, has sent edible items and other relief goods for the Afghan refugees temporarily residing in the Jalozai camp, some 35km southeast of Peshawar.

The society sent 7,000 quilts, 2,000 chadars (shawl), two tons of cooking oil, two tons of flour, pulses, tea-bags and rice for them. A large number of refugees, mostly women, gathered at the CAR sub-office, were awaiting their turn to collect relief items. Some of them were angry over the way the goods were being distributed. They complained only selected families were given the goods.

The CAR and UNHCR officials held a joint meeting on Saturday at Jalozai to discuss the shifting of refugees. They had decided to make a fresh survey of the refugees before their evacuation.

The relief goods worth Rs3 million were sent by Farah Naz Guldari and Faryal Khori, two sisters from Omarzai area of the NWFP, who collected funds from Pakistanis working in the Gulf states.

The camp, where over 18,000 refugee families are staying, has been selected to be shifted to Bajaur Agency in the coming few days.

Sher Wali, Abdul Qadeer and Ajmal, carrying with them their cards told Dawn that they had been denied relief goods. But, a local official of the CAR said they had received their share one week ago. Now it was the turn of those who had not received any aid over the last two weeks.

Some months ago, the local people protested over the presence and the long stay of the refugees on their agriculture lands. The government, at that time, assured them that their lands would be evacuated within months. The situation worsened in September last year when the new refugees arrived in the already crowded camp.

The refugees, staying in the tents, complained about the non-availability of drinking water, medical facility and food supply.