Marta Youth, from the U.S. State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Office Director for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas visited the Construction Technology Training Institute (CTTI) in Islamabad.
Supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), CTTI provides vocational and technical skills training to both Afghan refugees and Pakistanis from refugee-hosting communities. During the visit, Youth spoke with the trainees and trainers about their needs, and reaffirmed the U.S. government’s continued support for Pakistan to provide durable solutions for Afghan refugees and refugee hosting-communities.
“The institute is an excellent example of how humanitarian assistance to UNHCR ensures lasting solutions for Afghan refugees and hosting-communities,” said Youth.
During her four-day visit to Pakistan, Youth also met with the Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees Saleem Khan, UNHCR Country Representative Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, and Afghan Deputy Chief of Mission Zardasht Shams and discussed areas for enhanced cooperation.
The United States is the largest single-country contributor for humanitarian assistance in Pakistan and the region. Since 2002, the U.S. has provided, through UNHCR and other partners, nearly $2.9 billion to support Afghan refugees, returnees, affected Afghan populations, and the Pakistani communities and others who host them.