UN-Habitat: Most Returning Afghan Migrants Settle in Cities, Straining Urban Services
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has stated that the majority of Afghan migrants returning to the country are settling in urban areas. This trend could lead to unregulated urban growth and increased pressure on already limited city services.
On Sunday, October 1, coinciding with World Habitat Day, the agency warned on the platform X (formerly Twitter) that the limited capacity of services in Afghanistan’s cities, especially following the Taliban’s rise to power, is insufficient to meet the needs of this influx of new residents.
The message further emphasized that the current situation requires urgent attention and investment in urban infrastructure and basic services, ranging from water and electricity to healthcare and sewage systems.
UN-Habitat has called on all partner organizations to strengthen infrastructure to facilitate the adaptability and sustainable development of Afghanistan’s cities. This warning comes amid the Taliban administration’s lack of a clear plan to manage reverse migration, alongside efforts to restrict the operational space for service and development organizations.
