Press Release
ISLAMABAD – 20 October, 2017: The new representative for the UN refugee agency in Pakistan, Ms. Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, has arrived to take up her responsibilities.
She succeeded Mr. Indrika Ratwatte – who has become UNHCR’s Regional Bureau Director for Asia and Pacific based in Geneva.
Prior to taking up her assignment in Pakistan, Ms. Ruvendrini was UNHCR’s Representative in Thailand. Her career with UNHCR spans over 27 years – with extensive leadership experience in a range of roles at UNHCR Headquarters and in the field in different countries.
Holding LLB and LLM in European Community and Public International Law from the University of Paris, Ms. Ruvendrini has vast operational experience in emergencies and complex situations.
“I am delighted to be taking over as the Representative of UNHCR in Pakistan and working closely with the government and other stakeholders to support the persons of concern,” she said.
Pakistan continues to host approximately 1.4 million Afghan refugees. Since 2002, UNHCR has facilitated the return of approximately 4.2 million registered Afghans from Pakistan.
UNHCR’s priority in Pakistan is to achieve lasting solutions for one of the largest and most protracted refugee situations in the world.
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