E-Paper
Uzbek refugees back in Kyrgyzstan
Almost all people who took shelter in neighbouring Uzbekistan in the wake of ethnic violence in south Kyrgyzstan have returned to their homeland, according to Uzbek authorities.
Almost all people who took shelter in neighbouring Uzbekistan in the wake of ethnic violence in south Kyrgyzstan have returned to their homeland, according to Uzbek authorities.
"Now those affected by tragic events in southern Kyrgyzstan have returned to their homeland and they need
maximum support," an Uzbek Foreign Ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti today.
Over 400,000 people are believed to be internally displaced as a result of deadly ethnic clashes in mid-June,
while about 110,000 took refuge in Uzbekistan.
About two thousand people are feared killed in the ethnic violence against Uzbek minority in Kyrgyzstan's two
southern regions of Osh and Jalalabad.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres, who visited Uzbekistan's Andijan province on the border with
Kyrgyzstan yesterday, also confirmed the return of refugees to their homes.
Tashkent is also planning to hand over remaining part of international humanitarian aid worth about USD 2.5 million,
to Kyrgyz authorities.
