A group of 21 staff from the Afghan Ministry of the Interior's
Identity Checking Unit (IDCU) graduated from a three-month computer
course this week, completing a year of IOM-supported study that
also included intensive English classes.

"The training course was extremely useful. Previously they used
to write letters by hand. Now they can type and use computers which
makes our work much easier," says IDCU Director General Colonel
Nawroz Khaliq.

The IDCU plays an important role in the return process of Afghan
nationals living in third countries. Since its creation in 2004, it
has verified the identity and nationality of over 1,000 people
seeking asylum or returning to Afghanistan from abroad.

IOM, with funding from Australia, helped the Minstry of the
Interior to establish the unit and subsequently built its capacity
through providing equipment and training.

The project is part of a wider IOM programme to help the Afghan
government to develop the policy, legislation, administrative
structures and human resources needed to tackle diverse migration
management issues.

For further information, please contact:

Katsui Kaya

IOM Afghanistan

Tel: +93 (0) 700 185 961

E-mail: "mailto:kkaya@iom.int">kkaya@iom.int