Kerman – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Iran held a handover ceremony today and provided hygiene kits to 1,000 vulnerable households at the Rafsanjan settlement in Kerman province. Kerman has been hosting one of the largest Afghan refugee and migrant populations in Iran for the past four decades. IOM’s support will allow the target group to adopt proper sanitation practices and maintain their families’ hygiene levels and sense of dignity.

The event took place in the presence of Ms. Lalini Veerassamy, IOM Chief of Mission in Iran, Mr. Aikawa Kazutoshi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Faramarz Ramezani, Deputy Director General of the Iranian Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs (BAFIA) and Mr. Roohollah Khezripour, Head of the provincial BAFIA in Kerman.

“The global community should acknowledge the efforts made by the Government of Iran towards the people of Afghanistan. We ought to do more to support Iran in bearing the weight of such a large Afghan coming with mixed vulnerabilities and needs”, said Lalini Veerassamy, IOM Chief of Mission in Iran.

With the financial support from the Government of Japan, IOM Iran has been fulfilling its commitment under the Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP) for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries since 2021, including Iran, a country that has been providing asylum to displaced populations for over four decades and has one of the largest and most protracted urban refugee situations in the world.  

Mr. Khezri, Head of Kerman Provincial BAFIA added that Iran has been treating the Afghan population of the neighboring country in a same manner as if they were nationals to foster the spirit of altruism.  

“Indeed no one should be left behind. Even after the takeover by Taliban in Afghanistan, the Government of Japan has continued and will continue to work closely with United Nations agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and the Government of Iran to help with the provision of efficient and adequate assistance,” said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Aikawa Kazutoshi.

With the funding from the Government of Japan, IOM will be implementing several other projects to provide assistance to Afghan refugees and migrants in the provinces of Markazi and Yazd in 2023.

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For media enquiries, please contact Nima Karimi at IOM Iran Tel: +989125208662 Email: nimkarimi@iom.int