The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Friday that it resumed repatriation convoys of Iraqi refugees on Wednesday after a month's halt due tosecurity concerns.

Wednesday's convoy returned 114 refugees who had been living for more than 20 years in two camps in western Iran, said UNHCR spokesperson Ron Redmond.

The refugees were escorted into Basra in southern Iraq by Coalition Provisional Authority personnel, where they received relief items from local UNHCR and partner agency staff.

Prior to leaving Iran, they underwent mine awareness training at the border, Redmond said.

More than 6,000 Iraqis have returned from Iran with assistance from the UN refugee agency since convoys started last November, while some 4,800 have returned from Saudi Arabia.

Next week, UNHCR and Iran's Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigration Affairs plan to open Voluntary Repatriation Centers intwo provinces, Ahwaz and Kermanshah, so that Iraqis seeking to go home despite the unstable security situation can register for transport, Redmond said.

However, he reiterated that due to the recent tension throughout Iraq, UNHCR is only assisting Iraqi refugees who insiston going back and who originate from Basra, Dhiqar or Muthana in southern Iraq.

Although UNHCR continues with the repatriation work, it is worrying about the funding situation right now.

"So far this year, we have not received any contributions from donors to maintain our programs as well as to care for some 2,000 refugees living in rough camps in eastern Jordan," said Redmond.

Source: Xinhua