UNHCR reports surge in Afghan returns amid funding crisis and humanitarian challenges

Over 1.6 million Afghans have returned to their homeland this year, significantly surpassing United Nations forecasts, raising urgent concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that the influx includes approximately 1.3 million individuals returning from Iran, with daily peaks of over 50,000 people crossing the border. Many returnees arrive exhausted and traumatized, often facing dire conditions upon their return.

The UNHCR highlighted the precarious situation for women and girls in Afghanistan, where their basic human rights are at risk. The organization is currently operating with only 28% of the necessary funding, forcing difficult decisions about resource allocation, such as whether to provide fewer blankets or meals to families in need.

The return of these individuals coincides with a backdrop of extreme poverty, drought, and ongoing human rights abuses. A recent UNDP report indicates that 70% of Afghans live at the subsistence level, exacerbating the challenges faced by returnees. The FAO has also issued a drought alert, further complicating the situation.

The UNHCR called on the international community to support Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for investment in peace rather than conflict. They urged regional nations to collaborate on solutions that ensure safe and dignified returns while fostering economic opportunities and community stability. The organization believes that with careful management, the return of these individuals could contribute to stability and growth in the region, but warns that a haphazard approach could lead to unrest and further displacement.