Last winter. the Soviet Union launched its invasion of Afghanistan. unleashing a new wave of violence and death. a wave which still has not crested. In the past 2 years. since the civil unrest began. some 1 million men. women. and children have left Afghanistan. most for camps in Pakistan. but not a few to Iran. as well. These 1 million people. representing one of the largest refugee populations on Earth. cry out to us for help. When I was privileged to lead a group of Congressmen to visit a refugee camp in Pakistans northwest frontier province last August. we were struck by the hardy independence of the refugees. These people made it clear to us that they wanted to return to their homes. but that the civil war had made it impossible for them to lead their normal lives. indeed. had made their normal lives a race against death from bombs and bullets. Following our visit. we met with representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees to see whether or not the U.N. could help the Government of Pakistan in bearing the burden of so many mouths to feed. and so many sick to care for. Our request was met. and the UNHCR has been actively working in the refugee camps since October. side by side with the noble efforts of the Pakistan Government and its voluntary organizations. Now. in the wake of the Soviet invasion and in the anticipation of a continuing human wave from within Afghanistan. a group of concerned private citizens and Members of Congress have joined to establish the Afghanistan Relief Committee. Inc.
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Refugees refugee refugees