UN Warns of Growing Challenges Facing Returning Migrants in Afghanistan
The United Nations Refugee Agency has announced that returning migrants in Afghanistan face significant challenges such as lack of adequate shelter, limited job opportunities, and restricted access to basic services—issues that seriously hinder their reintegration process.
On Sunday, 4 July, the agency stated in a report that the current situation in several host provinces, including Herat, directly affects the sustainable return of families. According to the UNHCR, many families encounter economic and social pressures upon their return to the country and cannot stand on their own without targeted support.
The report highlights that some returning families struggle to meet their basic living needs and require immediate attention and long-term planning. Settlement experts emphasize that inadequate infrastructure and weak local governance risk increasing poverty and secondary displacement—a problem also attributable to the Taliban administration.
The UN Refugee Agency added that under the “Cash for Work” initiative, projects such as cleaning irrigation canals, waste collection, and rural road leveling have been implemented in some areas. These programs aim to provide short-term income and improve living conditions in host communities.
The agency stressed that effectively addressing the situation of returning migrants requires sustainable local and national programs that ensure access to employment, shelter, and essential services, enabling returnees to resume normal life.
