IRNA reports that the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has commended Iran for supporting 3.8 million refugees with health, education, and livelihood opportunities.

The WFP reportedly said in a statement on March 4 that Iran has shown its commitment to supporting refugees, primarily from Afghanistan and Iraq, by providing them access to health services, education, and livelihood opportunities.

The U.N. agency is currently providing food, education, and livelihood assistance to 33,000 Afghan and Iraqi refugees living in 20 settlements throughout Iran.

Additionally, the WFP expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for its US$360,000 contribution, which will support the assistance programs for refugees residing in Iran.

Japanese Ambassador to Iran Tamaki Tsukada said that Japan has been supporting Afghan refugees in Iran for over 40 years.

He appreciated the Iranian government’s ongoing efforts to provide health and education services to Afghan refugees on par with those available to Iranian citizens.

The ambassador reportedly acknowledged that the rising number of Afghan refugees in Iran poses a significant challenge for the Iranian government.  He expressed hope that the assistance provided would help address some of the nutritional needs of the refugees, according to IRNA.