WANA (Oct 06) – Iran’s Deputy Interior Minister and Head of the Social Affairs Organization, Seyed Mohammad Bathaie, has raised concern over a significant reduction in UNHCR’s budget allocations, stressing that Iran’s share remains insufficient given the scale of its responsibilities.

 

Speaking at the 76th session of the UNHCR Executive Committee in Geneva, Bathaie highlighted that Iran has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for more than four decades, bearing multi-billion-dollar costs in education, healthcare, and social services. He underlined the principle of fair burden- and responsibility-sharing and urged UNHCR to adopt a more equitable budget model for host countries, including Iran.

 

In his address, Bathaie also referred to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, denouncing what he described as the genocide of Palestinians by Israel. He further condemned Israel’s recent attacks on Iran, which he said had resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Iranian citizens, calling on the international community to issue an unequivocal and unconditional condemnation of these actions.

Seyed Mohammad Bathaie Speaking at the 76th session of the UNHCR Executive Committee in Geneva. Social Media / WANA News Agency

Seyed Mohammad Bathaie Speaking at the 76th session of the UNHCR Executive Committee in Geneva. Social Media / WANA News Agency