Kabul Aug 7 (IANS) Over 20 000 Afghan refugees have returned or have been deported from neighbouring Pakistan and Iran during the period of July 29 to August 4 the UN Migration Agency said on Tuesday.
A total of 19 513 Afghans have reportedly arrived in the country in this period from Iran 5 per cent less than the previous week reports Xinhua news agency.
Meanwhile 954 Afghans have returned from Pakistan.
"This number marks a 700 per cent increase compared to the previous week (137) " the agency said.
The agency has provided post-arrival humanitarian assistance including food and other essential items to the returnees.
More than 463 000 Afghan refugees have returned from the two countries since January 1.

--IANS ksk/bg