UN Warns: Afghan Women and Girls Returning from Iran and Pakistan Need Urgent Humanitarian Aid

Kokcha News Agency – The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality (UN Women) has raised alarms about the urgent humanitarian needs of Afghan women and girls returning from Iran and Pakistan. Since September 2023, over two million undocumented Afghans have returned to their homeland, many of whom are arriving in a country they have never lived in before.

Key Challenges for Returnees:

• Lack of Basic Necessities: Many returnees are without shelter, income, access to healthcare, and educational opportunities.
• Gender-Specific Risks: Women and girls face heightened risks of poverty, early marriage, gender-based violence, and severe restrictions on their rights and freedoms.
• Shelter Shortages: Only 10 percent of female-headed households have permanent shelter, leaving many families exposed to harsh living conditions.

Humanitarian Response Under Strain:
UN Women has highlighted that humanitarian organizations are struggling to respond to the crisis as international funding continues to decline. Aid workers, particularly women operating in border areas, are under immense pressure to provide assistance despite limited resources.

Call for Immediate Action:
The agency has emphasized that without immediate support, the conditions for women and girls will deteriorate further. The reduction in aid is severely limiting the capacity of organizations to meet even the most basic needs of the returning population.

UN’s Appeal for International Support:
UN officials and humanitarian groups are calling for greater international investment in support programs specifically tailored for returning women and girls. Strengthening these programs is essential for helping vulnerable populations survive and adapt to the harsh realities on the ground.