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Afghanistan's Shelter Crisis Worsens as Refugee Returns Surge

A surge in returning Afghan refugees has created a major shelter crisis, with many lacking housing and basic necessities. Taliban officials state that land distribution programs are ongoing, with thousands of plots already provided across several provinces. However, returnees on the ground report selling possessions to pay rent and urgently need blankets, food, and cash assistance, especially during cold weather. Since the Taliban's return to power, nearly seven million Afghans have come back, highlighting a massive need for sustained resettlement planning.

Key Points: Afghanistan Shelter Crisis Deepens with Refugee Returns

  • Over 3,000 plots distributed to returnees
  • Land distribution expanding to more provinces
  • Returnees face harsh conditions without shelter
  • Nearly 7 million Afghans have returned since the Taliban's return
2 min read

Surge of returning refugees deepens shelter crisis in Afghanistan

Thousands of returning Afghan refugees face a severe shelter crisis. Officials announce land distribution, but returnees plead for urgent aid and housing.

"Now I'm going to Baghlan, but I have nothing there. We sold everything we had just to pay rent. - Yar Mohammad, a returnee"

Kabul, January 18

With a rising number of Afghan refugees returning home, access to shelter has emerged as a major challenge, as many returnees struggle to secure housing and basic necessities, Tolo News reported.

Officials of the Islamic Emirate said measures are being taken to address the issue, with land distribution continuing in several provinces. Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, said more than 3,000 plots of land have been provided so far to forcibly deported returnees.

"So far, 3,046 plots of land have been distributed in various provinces among returnees who were forcibly expelled. The distribution process is ongoing. Also, under the directive of the esteemed Amir al-Mu'minin, emergency aid for returnees has accelerated, including food, non-food items, and cash assistance," Fitrat said.

In a related development, the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing said the Joint Permanent Committee for the Resettlement of Migrants has distributed land to over 2,800 families in Kunar, Laghman, Maidan Wardak, Kandahar, Kunduz, Paktia, and Bamyan, Tolo News reported.

The ministry also said that land distribution for another 5,000 families has begun in Nangarhar, according to Tolo News.

Kamal Afghan, the ministry's spokesperson, said the land distribution programme is being expanded province by province.

"The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing has launched land distribution step-by-step in all provinces, and the program will, God willing, expand to ensure the fair distribution of plots to all returnees," Afghan said.

Meanwhile, returnees arriving from Pakistan said they continue to face serious difficulties due to a lack of shelter and essential facilities, and urged faster allotment of land and the provision of basic services, Tolo News reported.

"Now I'm going to Baghlan, but I have nothing there. We sold everything we had just to pay rent. We ask the Islamic Emirate to help us with land and food distribution," said Yar Mohammad, a returnee.

Another returnee, Sher Mohammad, called for urgent support amid harsh weather conditions.

"Our request to the government is to give us blankets and cash aid because it's cold here and we're struggling," he said.

According to statistics cited in the report, nearly seven million Afghans have returned from various countries since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, underlining the need for sustained planning to resettle and support returnees.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The scale of this crisis is immense. Distributing a few thousand plots when millions have returned is just a drop in the ocean. Winter makes it even more dire. I hope aid agencies can coordinate effectively to provide immediate shelter and warmth. No one should be without a home in this cold.
V
Vikram M
Stability in Afghanistan is crucial for the entire region, including India. A humanitarian disaster there will have ripple effects. While the Taliban administration is trying to show action, the pace is clearly too slow. The mention of "forcibly deported returnees" is key - many are coming back not by choice, which adds to the trauma. 🇮🇳
P
Priya S
It's good that they have a plan and are distributing land in provinces, but what about immediate shelter? Land distribution takes time for people to build homes. Where are they living now? The article mentions cash aid and blankets - that needs to be the priority right now, before more lives are lost to the cold.
R
Rohit P
Respectfully, the government spokesperson's statements feel disconnected from the returnees' pleas. "Step-by-step" and "God willing" isn't enough urgency for someone selling everything to pay rent. This needs war-level crisis management. Hope they can leverage any support from neighboring countries effectively.
K
Kavya N
This reminds me of the challenges we've seen in some of our own rehabilitation projects. Land distribution is just the first step. They need to ensure these plots have access to water, roads, and basic services. Otherwise, they're just creating new slums. Long-term planning is essential, not just emergency response.

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