ISLAMABAD, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- New representative for the UN refugee agency in Pakistan Ruvendrini Menikdiwela has arrived to take up her responsibilities, the UN High Commission for Refugees said Friday.
Menikdiwela succeeded Indrika Ratwatte -- who has become UNHCR's Regional Bureau Director for Asia and Pacific based in Geneva, the UNHCR said in a statement.
Prior to taking up her assignment in Pakistan, Menikdiwela was UNHCR's Representative in Thailand.
Menikdiwela works with the UNHCR over 27 years -- with extensive leadership experience in a range of roles at the UN refugee agency's headquarters and in the field in different countries.
"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 still hosts approximately 1.4 million Afghan refugees. Since 2002, the UNHCR has facilitated the return of approximately 4.2 million registered Afghans from Pakistan, but the agency still needs to achieve a lasting solution for the thorny issue in Pakistan.
