Iran asks UN refugee agency for more support to host refugees
Nader Yarahmadi, head of Iran’s Centre for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs, has called on the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to increase financial and operational support for Iran and to play a more active role in facilitating the return of refugees to their home countries.
Yarahmadi made the request in a meeting with Berham Saleh, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The meeting focused on the consequences of forced population displacement in the region, support for refugees and ways to achieve lasting solutions.
The head of Iran’s Centre for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs said the long-term presence of a large number of refugees in the country requires greater support from UNHCR and the practical participation of donor countries. He also claimed that Iran’s education and health infrastructure was damaged during the recent war and that international institutions should pay more attention to the needs of host countries.
According to Yarahmadi, continuing to provide services to refugees while preserving and rebuilding public service capacity will place more pressure on Iran without stronger international support. He called for global resources to be distributed based on the level of responsibility and need among host countries.
The Iranian official also asked UNHCR’s headquarters in Geneva to play a more active role in attracting help from countries that provide resources. He stressed the need to present a clear picture of Iran’s costs and services in hosting refugees, saying support should not be limited to general commitments and expressions of solidarity.
In another part of the meeting, Yarahmadi emphasised a more active role for UNHCR in refugee returns, including Iraqi refugees. According to him, the return of refugees to their countries of origin requires coordination between the relevant governments and international bodies.
Berham Saleh also expressed appreciation for Iran’s efforts in hosting refugees and stressed the importance of the services provided to this population. The two sides agreed to continue cooperation to address the refugee situation and find sustainable solutions.
The meeting took place as part of Iran’s continued consultations with the UN High Commissioner on the costs of hosting refugees and strengthening international cooperation, an issue that remains one of the main topics of these consultations given the long-term presence of Afghan refugees in Iran.
