UN Official Warns: Unsustainable Reintegration of Afghan Returnees Risks New Crisis
Stephanie Loose, head of the UN Human Settlements Programme in Afghanistan, has warned that the unsustainable reintegration of Afghan returnees could lead to a new humanitarian crisis, as millions face unprecedented challenges upon their return.
Kokcha News Agency – Stephanie Loose, head of the UN Human Settlements Programme in Afghanistan, has raised alarms about the human and social dimensions of the current crisis in Afghanistan. She stated that the country is facing an unprecedented humanitarian challenge as millions of Afghan citizens have been forcibly or voluntarily returning from neighboring countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan, in recent months.
While humanitarian aid and services are being provided at border crossings, Loose emphasized that “the main challenge still lies ahead.” She explained that the core issue is the reintegration of individuals who have lost their homes, assets, and hope. Many of these returnees have never lived in Afghanistan before and have nowhere to return to. According to her, 60% of the current returnees are under the age of 18 and lack social networks or family ties in the country.
Loose warned that these conditions increase the risk of young people turning to “negative coping mechanisms.” For many, this will not be a reintegration but a completely new start in a complex and challenging country. She stressed the need for integrated approaches in the areas where returnees are settling, stating, “They need adequate housing and property rights, access to basic services like water and sanitation, and, most importantly, sustainable livelihood opportunities to continue their lives with dignity and support their families.”
The head of the UN Human Settlements Programme added, “The reintegration of a large number of displaced people is a serious humanitarian crisis for individuals, but the response must be systematic, structural, and based on local conditions. Do not forget Afghanistan, even if there is no active war anymore. Do not forget the people of Afghanistan, especially women and girls, and ensure that sufficient financial resources are available to guarantee a dignified life for these individuals.”
💢 استفانی لوز: ادغام بازگشت کنندگان افغان بدون حمایت پایدار، بحرانی تازه رقم می زند pic.twitter.com/pTi0Oe4Kaa
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