Two senior United Nations officials arrived in Kabul on Sunday to assess the needs of Afghan returnees, as Afghanistan's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said nearly six million people had returned since 2023.
According to the ministry, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Barham Salih and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Alexander De Croo were received at Kabul International Airport by Deputy Minister Abdul Rahman Rashid.
Welcoming the visit, Rashid said direct engagement could present the reality of life in Afghanistan better than written reports.
“We believe that no report can present the true picture of Afghan lives better than physical presence and direct engagement.”
Salih said the visit was intended to closely assess the needs of Afghans and identify ways to respond.
“The purpose of our visit is to closely assess the challenges facing Afghans and explore ways to address them.”
The ministry also quoted Salih as saying that nearly six million Afghans had returned since 2023, describing it as one of the largest return movements globally.
“We are committed to supporting Afghans and hope that assistance will reach them.”
UNDP said the joint mission was also focused on identifying practical solutions for people in Afghanistan.
“This joint mission provides an opportunity to hear directly from the people of Afghanistan and gain a better understanding of how the United Nations can support practical, locally driven solutions.”
The United Nations said Afghanistan continues to face large-scale returns, economic hardship, climate pressures and increasing strain on public services, with women, returnees, internally displaced people and host communities among those most in need.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 21.9 million people in Afghanistan are expected to require humanitarian assistance in 2026.
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