A humanitarian crisis is intensifying in Afghanistan as neighboring countries implement measures leading to the return of tens of thousands of Afghans. In April alone, over 280,000 individuals were either forcibly deported or pressured to leave Pakistan and Iran, arriving in Afghanistan without resources and in urgent need of support to rebuild their lives. The narratives of these returnees highlight the challenging circumstances they now confront.
Ezatullah, a 45-year-old man, recently crossed into Afghanistan at the Torkham border with his wife and seven children. He recounted that they were told to leave on short notice, resulting in the loss of all their belongings. For Ezatullah, who spent his entire life working as a laborer in Rawalpindi, the adjustment to life in Afghanistan presents a formidable challenge. He finds himself in a country marked by escalating unemployment and poverty, where an estimated half of the population relies on humanitarian aid for survival.
For many years, Pakistan and Iran have been host to approximately 5.25 million Afghan refugees and asylum seekers. However, economic conditions in these countries have shifted, leading to growing challenges for Afghan communities. The recent return of these individuals exposes them to significant risks regarding their safety and rights once back in Afghanistan.
Notably, women and girls face unique vulnerabilities due to increasing restrictions on their participation in the workforce, access to education, and mobility. Moreover, ethnic and religious minorities, along with human rights advocates and journalists, encounter heightened threats upon their return.
These systemic risks are compounded by the urgent humanitarian needs within Afghanistan, marked by soaring unemployment and dwindling international assistance. In response, the United Nations has established a comprehensive plan aimed at aiding returning Afghans.
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has called for approximately million in funding to deliver essential support, including emergency cash assistance, food, temporary shelter, and specialized services for particularly vulnerable groups such as female-headed households, those with disabilities, and children. Additionally, UNHCR provides mental health services and support for survivors of gender-based violence.
The urgent appeals from the international community underscore the dire situation. UNHCR’s representative in Afghanistan, Arafat Jamal, emphasized that the lives of millions of Afghans depend on immediate support. Greater international cooperation and assistance are deemed essential in navigating this unfolding humanitarian crisis.
#WorldNews #MiddleEastNews