UNHCR Afghanistan Marks World Refugee Day by Highlighting the Urgent Needs of Returnees
UNHCR Afghanistan Marks World Refugee Day by Highlighting the Urgent Needs of Returnees
AFGHANISTAN – On World Refugee Day, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, joins the global community in honouring the courage, strength, and resilience of people who have been forced to flee their homes and are now returning to their country.
Observed every year on 20 June, World Refugee Day is a moment to reflect on the plight of millions of refugees, returnees, and displaced persons around the world. In Afghanistan, this day is marked amid the return of hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees from neighbouring countries.
"UNHCR estimates that 3.5 million Afghans have returned since 2023 from neighbouring countries, mainly from Pakistan and Iran. The international community must recognise that returns can be a force for stability, economic development, and regional cooperation," said Arafat Jamal, UNHCR Representative in Afghanistan. "They must be voluntary, orderly, safe, and dignified—in line with international standards."
In recent months, return trends have intensified, placing additional pressure on already strained services and communities. Reintegration is not simply a logistical challenge but a long-term commitment that demands sustained support, investment, and political will. On this World Refugee Day, UNHCR emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated emergency response efforts, while also advocating for durable solutions supported by sustained investment from the international community. Special attention must be given to the unique needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls, ensuring their protection, inclusion, and empowerment as central pillars of reintegration efforts.
“On this day, we call for global solidarity. Afghan returnees must not be forgotten. Their return should mark a new beginning, not the continuation of their hardship“, Arafat Jamal added.
In Afghanistan, World Refugee Day means addressing the complex challenges facing returnees. It is not just a matter of humanitarian response, but of human dignity and long-term peacebuilding.
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Faramarz Barzin
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Samand Ibrahimi
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