UN-Habitat Highlights Afghanistan’s Housing Crisis Ahead of World Urban Forum

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has announced that Afghanistan’s deepening housing and shelter crisis will be a central focus at the upcoming World Urban Forum. The international conference is scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 17 to May 22.

According to agency officials, the rapid return of more than five million migrants since 2023 has placed severe strain on the country’s urban infrastructure and housing capacity. UN-Habitat projects that approximately four million Afghans will require emergency shelter assistance this year. The agency emphasized that addressing these urgent needs is critical for long-term stability and urban development.

The situation in the capital reflects broader national challenges. Officials reported that four out of five residents in Kabul currently live in informal settlements, where access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, and electricity remains highly limited. The expansion of these unplanned neighborhoods has outpaced municipal planning and service delivery.

Delegates and policymakers at the Baku forum are expected to discuss strategies for expanding basic urban services, formalizing housing markets, and improving living conditions in rapidly growing cities. UN-Habitat indicated that sustainable urban planning and targeted humanitarian support will be necessary to mitigate the impact of large-scale population returns and displacement.

The agency reiterated that coordinated international and domestic efforts are required to address the shelter deficit and ensure that returning populations have access to safe, adequate housing. The discussions in Azerbaijan will aim to integrate these priorities into broader frameworks for urban resilience and development across the region.