INTERNATIONAL — May 8, 2026
UNHCR Representative: Humanitarian Aid Reaches Afghan Citizens, Not Islamic Emirate
UNHCR representative Orafat Jamal confirmed that humanitarian aid reaches Afghan citizens directly rather than the Islamic Emirate, while urging caution over the return of nearly three million migrants from neighboring countries amid poor conditions and ongoing detentions.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with ToloNews — 2 min read

Humanitarian assistance coordinated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is delivered directly to Afghan citizens and is not channeled to the Islamic Emirate, UNHCR representative Orafat Jamal stated. The clarification comes amid ongoing discussions regarding the distribution and oversight of international relief efforts in the country.
In the past twelve months, approximately 2.8 million Afghan nationals have returned from Pakistan and Iran. The majority of these returnees have arrived facing severe hardships, with limited access to shelter, healthcare, and basic necessities. Pakistani authorities have continued to conduct operations resulting in the arrest of Afghan migrants, including individuals who have lived in the country for many years.
The UNHCR representative cautioned that additional instability within Afghanistan could generate wider regional consequences. He called on Pakistan, Iran, and European governments to approach repatriation efforts with greater caution, stressing the importance of safeguarding vulnerable groups. The United Nations continues to track the evolving situation and is working to provide emergency support to families displaced by recent cross-border movements. International organizations continue to assess the long-term impact of these large-scale population movements on local communities and infrastructure.
Read the original reporting at ToloNews →
Reliability assessment
Single-source report with direct, on-record attribution to a named, verifiable UN official (Orafat Jamal, UNHCR representative in Afghanistan). The statements on aid distribution, migrant return figures (2.8 million), and repatriation policy are presented as direct quotes from a public figure, meeting the threshold for reliability. Cross-source verification is not applicable due to only one source being provided, but the concrete attribution and specific data points satisfy the reliability criteria.
The source language reads straight.
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