and Iran and for their important contributions to refugee programmes. Account should also be taken of the tremendous impact which the refugee problem was having on their economic and social structures as well as on the environment. 18. The High Commissioner, accompanied by the Co-ordinator for United Nations Humanitarian and Economic Assistance Programmes Relating to Afghanistan and the Executive Director of WFP, had visited Pakistan at the end of March 1990. That inter-agency mission symbolized the determination of the United Nations system to achieve the voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees. The major outcome of the mission had been an agreement to promote more actively the voluntary repatriation of those refugees by providing incentives both inside Afghanistan, in those areas where physical and economic security permitted repatriation, and in the asylum countries for those genuinely wishing to return on a voluntary basis. The High Commissioner was convinced that if significant numbers returned within a reasonable period of time, funds would become available from the international community to assist further in that process. In that connection, he wished to assure the Executive Committee that if there had been any reduction in the programme in Pakistan and Iran, it was attributable solely to the general financial crisis of UNHCR and not to any attempt to force refugees to go back to their country against their wishes: UNHCR was bound by its mandate to respect and ensure the voluntary character of any return. 19. UNHCR welcomed the repatriations which had already taken place in 1989 - an estimated 100,000 from Pakistan and Iran - and the new upward trend in returns since January 1990, at a rate of 100 to 150 families per day, many going back from Baluchistan to Kandahar and Helmand. UNHCR was grateful to both Governments for facilitating those returns. 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its efforts to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran. The text highlights the economic and social impact of the refugee problem on the host countries and the environment, as well as the agreement to promote voluntary repatriation by providing incentives. The text also mentions the repatriations that have already taken place and the new upward trend in returns. Based on this analysis, it is likely that the text falls under the category of humanitarian aid and relief.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief