Japan Provides $2 Million to Support Afghan Returnees, UN Says

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says Japan has provided $2 million in emergency assistance to support Afghan migrants returning from Iran and Pakistan.

In a statement released Wednesday, UNHCR said the funding will help Afghan returnees and vulnerable host communities across Afghanistan that are struggling to cope with increasing humanitarian needs.

The organization said that in 2025 alone more than 2.8 million Afghans returned from neighboring countries, many arriving with very few belongings and facing urgent needs for shelter, food, livelihoods, and protection.

According to the statement, the 10-month project will support about 116,310 people in areas with large numbers of returnees, aiming to ease pressure on local communities.

The program will also provide emergency cash assistance to around 23,000 returning Afghans to help them meet immediate basic needs after arriving in the country.

UNHCR said the project aligns with Japan’s priorities on human security, gender equality, peacebuilding, and strengthening the link between humanitarian aid, development, and long-term stability.

Afghanistan has seen a massive wave of returning migrants in recent years, particularly from Iran and Pakistan, where millions of Afghans have lived as refugees or migrant workers for decades.

According to UN data, more than five million Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan since 2023, placing additional pressure on an already fragile economy and humanitarian system.

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