WFP executive director: "Living conditions in displaced-persons camps are very hard"

As APA reports, the executive director held a press conference jointly with head of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov.

Mr.Morris said he together with Hasanov visited Galagayin displaced-persons camps in Sabirabad region, wagons on the railway in Imishli and new settlements for IDPs in Bilasuvar.

"The living conditions are really very hard in the displaced-persons camps and wagons. These people have had to live in wagons for many years. It is a very sad situation. The people transferred to new settlements look happy now. They thanked to us for our aids. But also asked us to ensure their returning to their native lands," Morris said.

The WFP executive director described the visit fruitful adding that he witnessed the Azerbaijani government's undertaking great obligations to solve the problems that the IDPs face. He said since 1994 the World Food Program have granted food aid at the cost of $120 million to 500 displaced persons in Azerbaijan, "We have been cooperating with Azerbaijan for fifteen years. It is a long period."

Mr.Hasanov said the WFP is the biggest organization rendering food aid to Azerbaijan. He said it has prolonged the term of its food aid program to Azerbaijan from July 1 this year till 30 June, 2008. The WFP will render humanitarian aid in the cost of US$15.66 million to Azerbaijani refugees, IDPs and poor families within 24 months.