Aid Distribution for Deported Families Begins in Bamyan as Nationwide Plans Advance

In Bamyan province, the distribution of wheat and cash assistance has started for 1,200 families deported from neighboring countries.

Officials stated that the program is underway nationwide for 50,000 migrant families. They added that land distribution for permanent settlement of returnees will begin next year. Ziauddin Waqif, head of finance at the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, said: "In the future, we also plan to distribute wheat and cash assistance, and at the same time, for the returned migrants, land distribution will be carried out for building permanent shelters, and committees have also been formed for this purpose."

Local officials in Bamyan reported that construction of a second-class town on 10,000 jeribs of land is planned to accommodate returnees. Saifullah Aliyar, head of reintegration at the Bamyan Refugee and Repatriation Department, said: "For migrants in the second town, 10,000 jeribs of land has been proposed to the leadership of the Islamic Emirate, which after finalizing the process, a town will be built on this land."

Some deported migrants highlighted challenges including lack of permanent shelter and job opportunities. Allah Bakhsh, deported from Iran, said: "We are grateful for this assistance and ask the Islamic Emirate to provide us with permanent shelter." Mohammad Hossein, also deported from Iran, said: "We have been deported from Iran and here we have no house or shelter. Promises have been made to us and our information has been registered; it will be seen whether shelter will be provided for us or not. In Afghanistan, there is no work or job opportunity, and our problems are many."

According to local officials, nearly 7,000 families have returned to Bamyan from neighboring countries over the past four years, making permanent shelter a pressing need.