Afghan refugee flow: a million so far

A million Afghans fled to Pakistan during the first 12 months of the Soviet Union's military presence in their country, according to Pakistani government and United Nations statistics. An average of 89,000 refugees, mainly women and children, crossed the frontier each month during 1980, and the influx is continuing. The Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other international and private agencies spent over $200 million on food, medicine, and shelter for the refugees during 1980. In addition, Pakistan's military government spent an estimated $100 million to support the refugees.