UNHCR

• UNHCR is the UN High Commissioner for Refugees which plays a critical role in addressing the needs of displaced populations, and their reintegration into society, and access to essential services
• Afghanistan has 3.5 million IDPs largely due to conflict and violence, 45% of whom have received emergency shelter, food, and non-food items
• Since 2002, the UNHCR has facilitated the return of 5.3 million Afghan refugees from neighbouring countries, including Pakistan and Iran, in which the UNHCR has helped to reintegrate them into society
• In 2024 alone, over 600,000 Afghans returned, many requiring reintegration support
• The UNHCR also coordinate cross-border assistance and repatriation programs since 1.3 million Afghans live in Pakistan, and 800,000 live in Iran
• Success of their intervention has been evidenced through the fact that the UNHCR implemented vocational training which benefited 100,000 individuals, most of whom were not employed or qualified
• They have also supported 500,000 children with educational materials and the infrastructure to learn
• The UNHCR has also facilitated 600,000 refugees in 2024 alone, ensuring they have access to reintegration programs
• However, UNHCR have had funding shortages since in 2023, they only recieved 54% of the required $347 million for its Afghanistan operations
• Whilst the UNHCR, unlike the US and NATO, did not fully withdraw, they retreated some of their resources following the Taliban who took control in 2021 - this reverted some of the positive changes that the UNHCR had made