An official from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said Sunday that the security conditions were not right to take care of the Afghan refugees on the Iranian border.
The head of the UNHCR mission to Afghanistan, Filippo Grandi, said that to take care of the refugees on Afghan territory fleeing from a possible US attack against their country as suggested by Tehran, their safety would have to be ensured.
He also said the UN also needed to operate in areas which had basic food and water supplies, as well as shelter, with the UNHCR personnel having access and protection.
"But these requirements, notably on the security issue, have not been met," the official added.
Following the September 11 terror attacks in the United States, Iran announced the closure of its border with Afghanistan from fear of US military action, but said it would assist the refugees by building camps on the Afghan side of the border.
Iran already has some two million Afghan refugees on its territory.
The official said that 60 millions dollars were needed to help the refugees in Iran, and added that "the response of the donors countries is very good, including United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, United states, the European Commission” -- TEHRAN (AFP)
