Pakistan Gives Another Short Extension to Afghan Refugees
Pakistan extended the deadline for Afghan refugees to leave the country for another two months as a previous deadline approached.
Refugees now have until June 30 when their proof of registration cards will expire, the government said. Pakistan has repeatedly extended such deadlines at the last minute, but recently stepped up pressure by extending for shorter time periods.
The U.N. refugee agency, which facilitates returns to Afghanistan, welcomed the extension but expressed concern about the limited time frame and lack of other options for refugees who cannot return.
Far-Right Extremists Claim Arson Attack in Athens
Far-right activists claimed responsibility for an arson attack on an Afghan community center in the Greek capital last week.
The fire destroyed much of the center in the Omonia neighborhood of Athens, but no injuries were reported. Activists calling themselves Krypteia told a Greek website they had carried out the attack.
The U.N. refugee agency said the center had been full of people, including children, shortly before the attack on March 22. The same center was attacked in 2011.
Congolese Government Refuses to Participate in Aid Conference
The Congolese government said it will not participate in an international donor conference to address the humanitarian crisis in the country.
The U.N. recently declared the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo Level 3, the highest-level emergency. The government accused the U.N. of overreacting and discouraging investment in the country.
DRC will not take part in the summit in Geneva on April 13 unless the U.N. reflects the government’s own statistics, the government said.
The conference aims to raise $1.7 billion to help 13 million people in need of aid amid multiple conflicts exacerbated by political crisis. Some 4.5 million Congolese are displaced in the country while around 500,000 have fled to neighboring countries.
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