Afghan returnees face reintegration challenges amid calls for international aid

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has called for increased international investment to support the reintegration of Afghan returnees. Since late 2023, nearly seven million people have returned to Afghanistan from neighboring countries, often under difficult and involuntary circumstances. The UNHCR warned that these returnees face significant challenges, including poverty, limited services, and severe restrictions on the rights of women and girls.

In a separate development, the European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to returning Afghans. During a meeting between Afghanistan’s Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, and the EU’s representative, Nicola Bellomo, officials discussed focusing on employment opportunities and sustainable reintegration. The Afghan ministry noted that 80 townships have been designated to accommodate returnees, and officials requested EU support for constructing residential housing to assist vulnerable populations, particularly women.