UNHCR: Daily Return of Afghan Refugees from Pakistan Poses Serious Challenges
KABUL (Hasht-e Subh) -- The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated that thousands of Afghans are returning daily from Pakistan to Afghanistan, confronting serious challenges in securing housing, health services and facing economic difficulties.
In a report issued on Tuesday, February 17, UNHCR said many returnees have been compelled to leave Pakistan due to restrictive policies and poor living conditions, while others have faced forced deportations.
"At the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, families arrive exhausted and anxious, carrying nothing but concerns about how to rebuild their lives in their homeland," the agency stated.
UNHCR has bolstered its presence at key border crossings to monitor protection risks for returnees and deliver immediate assistance, including registration, vulnerability assessments and access to essential services.
These returns occur as Afghanistan grapples with multiple crises, including an economic downturn, drought, earthquakes, floods and a widespread wave of refugee expulsions.
UNHCR previously reported that Afghanistan, already in a critical state, lacks the capacity to accommodate this large influx of returnees.
Know more about this story?
If you have additional information or believe something is inaccurate, let us know. Your tips help us stay accurate.
More in Society
Afghanistan Signs $416,000 Agreement for Disaster Risk Reduction
Construction Begins on New Grand Mosque in Logar Province
10-Bed Hemodialysis Ward Opens in Helmand Province
Health Minister Visits Sar-e Pol Provincial Hospital to Assess Services and Address Shortages
ReliableAfghanistan Signs $416,000 Agreement for Disaster Risk Reduction
Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority and the World Social Services Institute in Asia have signed a $416,000 agreement to fund infrastructure upgrades and training programs aimed at reducing disaster risks. The initiative includes constructing protective barriers in Nangarhar province and establishing volunteer response teams.
ReliableConstruction Begins on New Grand Mosque in Logar Province
Construction has begun on a new grand mosque in Logar’s Baraki Barak district, funded by a businessman and local residents. The 1,100-capacity facility will replace a historic 150-year-old structure that was damaged by time and conflict.
Reliable10-Bed Hemodialysis Ward Opens in Helmand Province
A 10-bed hemodialysis ward funded by the Fatima Charitable Foundation has opened in Lashkar Gah, Helmand, to treat patients with severe kidney diseases. Provincial officials highlighted the facility as part of broader healthcare expansion efforts under the Islamic Emirate.
ReliableHealth Minister Visits Sar-e Pol Provincial Hospital to Assess Services and Address Shortages
The Minister of Public Health visited Sar-e Pol Provincial Hospital to assess medical services, direct staff on professional standards, and address reported shortages of medicines and equipment. Provincial officials pledged coordinated support to improve healthcare delivery in the region.