Tag Archives: Afghanistans

Afghanistan’s returnees at a crossroads between collapse and recovery

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Since September 2023, some three million Afghans have returned – many having been forcibly deported from neighbouring Pakistan and Iran. Often, they arrive exhausted, disoriented, and stripped of their belongings.

“They return to a homeland that is dramatically unprepared to receive them,” warned Arafat Jamal, the UNHCR Representative in Afghanistan.

UN agencies have stepped in as stabilising forces, providing crucial support at a time of immense pressure. At border crossings for example, returnees receive cash grants to help them build shelters or launch small businesses.

Infrastructure boost

In communities absorbing large numbers of returnees, the UN has bolstered local infrastructure by constructing clinics, schools, housing, and livelihood projects.

These efforts, said Mr. Jamal, have functioned both as essential “shock absorbers” and as “engines for regeneration” in areas under strain.

“By nurturing such an ecosystem of hope, we have fuelled economic success,” he explained.

Yet as international funding declines, the scale of support is being drastically reduced. Cash assistance per family has plummeted from $2,000 to just $150 – barely enough to cover basic needs.

“This can help someone to survive, but not to thrive,” Mr. Jamal said. “Whereas once we provided restorative assistance, we now hand out pure survival money.”

Big dividend through coordination

He stressed that a coordinated response could transform the return of Afghans into an opportunity for stability, economic growth, and regional harmony. However, he also issued a stark warning: “If we do not come together, the demographic shock of disorganised return may instead tip us towards chaos.”

The UN refugee agency reaffirmed its commitment to remain on the ground and continue saving lives “in war and peace”. But with greater support, Mr. Jamal emphasised, they could do far more.

“We can help to repair and rebuild the fabric of torn communities,” he concluded.

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Afghanistan’s socioeconomic crisis deepens amid crackdown on women’s rights

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As the Afghan economy faces stalled local production and weak job creation, Afghanistan continues to heavily rely on imports and international assistance.

“UNDP’s current analysis and new data indicate the continuation of a deeply troubling trajectory for the Afghan people, who have been grappling with extreme vulnerability over the past decade,” said Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General and head of UNDP for the Asia-Pacific region.

Systemic challenges

In the past year, political uncertainty, an ongoing economic crisis, shrinking international aid and climate disruptions have compounded existing vulnerabilities, limiting the economy’s ability to regain momentum.

As Afghanistan heavily relies on foreign assistance, the current reduction in international aid is likely to have a significant impact on humanitarian operations and the delivery of basic services.

“UNDP stresses the need for targeted interventions to address these challenges, recognising that humanitarian assistance alone is not enough, and sustainable longer-term economic and social solutions are needed,” said Stephane Rodriques, UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan.

Restriction on women’s rights

As repressive laws continue to erode women’s rights, safety and access to basic services such as education and employment, Afghanistan’s socioeconomic crisis has seen the gender gap widen further, pushing women deeper into social exclusion and poverty.

With only seven per cent of Afghan women working outside of the household in 2024, restrictions on women and girls are projected to cost the Afghan economy nearly $920 million between 2024 and 2026, according to UNDP.

UNDP called for Afghanistan to lift restrictions on women and girls and for comprehensive support to women-led businesses to be provided.

Returnees

In 2024, Afghanistan also faced a major influx of returnees from Pakistan and Iran, as these neighbouring countries hardened their stance on Afghan refugees and migrants.

The UN expects the rate of returnees to increase in 2025, with an estimated 600,000 to 1.5 million people expected to return to Afghanistan.

“With the anticipated arrival of hundreds of thousands of returnees this year and a marked reduction in international support, Afghan communities will have to navigate substantial challenges that will increase pressure on an already highly tenuous daily subsistence,” said Ms. Wignaraja.

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