Arafat Jamal, the head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has announced efforts to create better conditions for Afghan returnees inside the country.
He told TOLOnews that the organization is implementing measures such as distributing cash assistance and providing shelters for Afghan returnees from Iran and Pakistan.
Arafat Jamal said: “What we do for the returnees from Iran and Pakistan is, first, we give them cash. When they arrive at the border, they get $350, and then the amount goes up. This cash enables people to rent a room, buy some food, get transport to their home. After that, we do shelter, building people homes so that they can establish themselves.”
Jamal emphasized the need for cooperation from other countries to assist returning Afghan refugees and expressed hope for increased activities, particularly for women and children.
“We are launching different appeals right now for more assistance to help with basic things like Bukhari, like blankets and other items for the winter,” stated Arafat Jamal.
Meanwhile, newly returned refugees to the country are calling for immediate assistance to survive the winter season.
Noor Mohammad, who was recently deported from Pakistan, said: “We have come from Sohrab Karachi. So far, we have received no assistance. Winter is approaching, and we are living in a rented house.”
“We have returned from Pakistan, and winter is ahead of us. We have no fuel and are living in a rented house,” said Sayed Ahmad, another returnee from Pakistan.
Previously, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said it was working to provide basic living facilities for returning migrants. The ministry also mentioned that in the first eight months of this solar year, over 900,000 Afghan migrants have returned to the country from Iran, Turkey, and Pakistan.