Iran’s migration organization and Italy’s CESVI engaged in a meeting to explore cooperative efforts aimed at enhancing support for refugees in Iran. The dialogue addressed challenges posed by inadequate international aid and outlined potential agricultural projects to benefit both refugees and the host country. Both organizations expressed optimism in collaborating to improve living conditions for refugees and foreigners in Iran, while addressing educational challenges faced by Afghan students.
The National Organization for Migration in Iran, led by Nader Yar-Ahmadi, recently convened with Marcelo García Dalla Costa from the Italian NGO CESVI to explore avenues for intensified collaboration. The February 16 meeting sought to identify joint humanitarian projects aimed at strengthening Iran’s capacity as a host nation for refugees, as noted by ILNA.
During the discussion, Dalla Costa acknowledged Iran’s significant role in accommodating refugees and expressed understanding of the resultant challenges, particularly the inadequate international assistance. He also outlined initiatives aimed at advancing agricultural projects to bolster food production and create income-generating opportunities for refugees and Afghans in their home country.
Furthermore, Dalla Costa informed Yar-Ahmadi of Italy’s commitment to finance CESVI’s activities focused on aiding immigrants, refugees, and foreign nationals in Iran, following constructive discussions with the Italian ambassador.
Yar-Ahmadi elaborated on the National Organization for Migration’s efforts to assist Afghan refugees, emphasizing the necessity for support due to the challenges Iran faces as a host country. He communicated optimism about joining forces with CESVI to implement agriculture-related projects, assuring readiness to mobilize expert teams in this sector.
In a broader context, Yar-Ahmadi mentioned concerns regarding Iran’s refugee policies, suggesting that a review may be necessary should the international community fail to adequately address the pressures on host nations. He highlighted these sentiments during an October 2024 meeting with Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, amid discussions at the UNHCR’s 75th Annual Session.
Yar-Ahmadi commended UNHCR’s initiative in Iran but pointed out the gaps that exist in funding versus actual refugee needs, citing that less than one percent of the costs related to refugee support has been covered. He stated, “the priority of the country is to resettle vulnerable refugees in third countries.”
He further stressed the urgency for UNHCR to address educational challenges faced by Afghan nationals in Iran, urging for financial support to construct new schools and fund hiring costs for teachers. Despite the pressing needs, he noted that only 21 schools had been built with UNHCR collaboration since 2021, underscoring the significant gap in educational provisions for foreign students.
The dialogue between Iran’s migration officials and CESVI reveals a committed effort to enhance cooperation for refugee support through agricultural projects and humanitarian initiatives. While recognizing Iran’s ongoing challenges in hosting refugees amid limited international support, both parties expressed optimism for collaborative efforts. Continued dialogue and resource allocation from the international community remain critical in addressing the needs of refugees in Iran.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
