United Nations Radio

More than a quarter million Afghans have returned home so far this year from Pakistan and Iran with the help of the UN refugee agency-UNHCR.

In Geneva, UNHCR Spokesman Ron Redmond says the agency's assisted voluntary repatriation operation from Pakista to Afghanistan will be temporarily suspended at the end of this month for the annual winter break.

"Many said they returned to Afghanistan because they could not afford the high cost of living in exile amid the food and fuel crisis. Others cited security uncertainties as a reason for leaving Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province. The majority of this year's returnees about 63 per cent have gone to eastern Afghanistan while 13 per cent have gone to the area in and around the capital Kabul."

Redmond says many have returned to their places of origin but are unable to go back to their villages because they have no land, shelter, job opportunities or security there.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

(duration: 58")