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The most recent overview of the numbers of refugees and displaced people in Asia (as of the end of 1994) is as follows. There were an estimated 5.0 million refugees in Asia, of whom 1.1 million were Afghans in Pakistan and in Iran (1.6 million). There were reported to be 610,000 Iraqis in Iran. Other large groups were refugees from Myanmar in Bangladesh (120,000), Vietnamese in China (290,000), Chinese (Tibet) in India (110,000), and Bhutanese in Nepal (100,000). No comprehensive data were available on the numbers of internally displaced populations in Asia, but they were certainly in the millions (UNHCR, 1994 ‘Populations of Concern to UNHCR').

This section of the report aims to give updated information on some of these situations. The current situation for the Afghan refugees/displaced populations, the largest single group in Asia with approximately three million affected people, is described. Available information on the Bhutanese refugees in Nepal and refugees from Myanmar in Bangladesh are included because of previous reports of micronutrient deficiencies. As in the past, we also include information on Southern Iraqi refugees in Iran.