The agency calls for calm and cooperation to provide a worthy path for millions of displaced Afghans.
Over 1.6 million Afghans returned from the two neighboring countries in 2024 only, according to Hcr – A figure that has already exceeded previous forecasts throughout the year.
‘Of Afghanistan – not Afghanistan’
The scale and speed of these yields exert enormous pressure on the provinces of poorly equipped borders to absorb them, exacerbating poverty, insecurity and humanitarian needs in a country still in shock from economic collapse and general human rights violations.
To complicate the situation, is the fact that many repatriated – especially women and children – return to a country they barely know.
“” They come from Afghanistan [but] No Afghanistan – often born abroad with better education and different cultural standards. Their perspectives are different from and often in contradiction with current Afghanistan“Explains Arafat Jamal, UNHCR representative in the country.
Women and girls in particular face a quarter of a quarter: from the relative autonomy in the host countries to a context where their rights are seriously limited by the edicts of the Taliban authorities.
Women’s rights in Afghanistan continue to deal with serious setbacks, restrictions deepening in education, employment and public life
Disoriented and disorganized
He reported conditions he had seen by himself recently at Islam Qala, a key border crossing with Iran.
Daily arrivals increased to around 50,000 people, many of whom have disoriented themselves and exhausted after arduous trips. UN officials have described scenes of despair in the reception centers.
“” Many of these returnees have been abruptly uprooted and have suffered arduous, exhausting and degrading trips – they arrive tired, disoriented, brutalized and often in despair, and they spread out in a center crowded in a heat often of 40 ° C (104 ° F), heat, heat,“Said Mr. Jamal.
Although certain yields are voluntary, he added that many occur under stress or without appropriate protection in place. Those who return include both officially registered refugees and people in situations “similar to refugees” which can face serious risks when they arrive.
Funding crisis
The UN and the humanitarian partners have set up a broad response along the borders, providing food, water, health services, protection and transportation.
However, funding deficits are hindering operations critically. UNHCR’s response is financed just 28% in July, forcing the aid agencies for rationing supplies and makes painful choices.
“We live with funded funds,” said Mr. Jamal. “” Every day, we wonder-should we give coverage instead of four? A meal instead of three? These are heartbreaking and destructive decisions of souls.“”
The situation is just as disastrous for other agencies: the humanitarian plan and the broader humanitarian response plan and not directed by the unison for Afghanistan – which is looking for 2.4 billion dollars to help nearly 17 million people across the country – are only funded at 22%.
Poverty and drought
Recent UN assessments have also warned of deterioration conditions and deepening poverty in Afghanistan.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (Fao) has issued alerts on the worsening of drought in a large part of the country, while the United Nations Development Program (Predict) reports that 70% of Afghans are already living in subsistence levels, because the collapse of public services and violations of rights in progress leaves millions of despair.
While returnees cross the border, often without notice or resources, local populations are stretched at the limit.
Mr. Jamal noted that this “superimposed precariousness on poverty” risks fueling frustration, competition on limited resources and new forms of social tension.
“” Afghanistan is perhaps welcoming, but it is entirely not prepared to receive this volume of repatriases“, He said.” The communities that take people do it with great generosity, but they are themselves in crisis. »»
Global attention
The growing emergency comes only a few days after the United Nations General Assembly massively adopted a resolution expressing a “deep concern” concerning the deterioration of the conditions facing the Afghans.
The resolution, adopted with 116 votes in favor and only two against, urged the Taliban to reverse repressive policies and called for renewed international cooperation to support Afghan civilians.
The resolution highlighted the need for “coherent approaches” which fill humanitarian, development and political efforts. He also called on donor countries to maintain or increase support.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
