Afghan refugees in Swabi feel ignored amid lockdown.

SWABI -- Afghans living in two refugee camps and other localities here in the district said on Friday that they had not received any assistance from any national or international organisation during Ramazan or for Eidul Fitr.

The refugees considered themselves as the most neglected people, saying there were widows and orphans among them who had no source of livelihood. They are entirely dependent on assistance of the international aid agencies.

Narrating their difficulties, they told mediapersons here on Friday that they could feed their families only when they would work. They said their livelihood sources had significantly shrunken because of restrictions implemented amid coronavirus pandemic.

They said they were expecting that during lockdown the UNHCR, government and welfare bodies would come forward to provide them assistance, but they ignored them for unknown reasons.

Haji Zarif Khan and other elders at Gandaf refugee camp said they were surprised at the way they were neglected at this difficult juncture. They said that the widows and orphans were the worst-hit during the last three months of lockdown.

However, they hoped that the UNCHR would provide them with assistance on emergency basis so after Eid.

FOLLOW SOPs: Doctors of leading hospitals and the district administration here on Friday urged the people to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) during Eidul Fitr and avoid...

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