‘ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: Concluding a three-day official visit on Friday, Simon Henshaw, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the US Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), said the US remained committed to working closely with Pakistan government in meeting the needs of Afghan refugees.

The US is a leading donor when it comes to the plight of Afghan refugees. In 2013 fiscal, the PRM provided $88 million to support Afghan refugees in the region.

During his visit, Mr Henshaw met officials of the States and Frontier Regions (Safron) ministry, the UN representatives and the PRM implementing partners. He also visited the US-funded projects in Haripur, including the schools for boys and girls which are being upgraded from grade 6 to 7 and 8.

The US government’s funding for this project fills a specific gap between the UN-supported and the government-funded schools which respectively cover primary and high school education. “The full participation of women and girls in society is essential, and the US government’s support to the school for girl refugees in Haripur demonstrates our shared commitment to education for all children,” Mr Henshaw said.

He also reviewed projects supported jointly by the government of Pakistan and the UN Refugee-Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA), including a basic health unit and primary school that serve both Afghan refugees and locals.

He also met youths receiving livelihood (vocational) training in carpentry, welding, and plumbing through a US government grant that helps Afghan refugee and local youths gain skills and employment needed for self-reliance. Recent graduates of the training programme shared their experiences in using their new skills to find employment and provide for their families.

Since 1979, Pakistan has generously hosted a shifting population of Afghan refugees. While millions have voluntarily returned home since 2002, some 1.62 million registered Afghan refugees still remain in the country.