Taliban Administration Allocates 58 Settlements for Permanent Refugee Housing

The Taliban administration’s deputy spokesperson has announced that 58 settlements across the country have been designated for the permanent housing of refugees, with the land distribution process underway in 30 of these settlements. According to him, so far, 59,133 land plots have been distributed to refugees.

Hamidullah Fakhrat stated that this program aims to provide permanent housing for refugees in various parts of the country. However, he did not provide details regarding the exact locations of these settlements, the criteria for selecting beneficiaries, or how basic services will be supplied in these areas.

In recent years, the forced and voluntary return of thousands of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries has placed significant pressure on infrastructure and livelihood resources in various provinces. Nevertheless, numerous reports have highlighted shortages of shelter, lack of job opportunities, and limited access to health and educational services in the areas where returnees have been settled.

Migration experts emphasize that permanent settlement of refugees cannot be achieved by land distribution alone; it requires transparent planning, provision of essential services, and creation of sustainable employment opportunities—issues on which the Taliban administration is expected to be held accountable.