The Kabul Tribune (KT) — U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih said Afghanistan is at a critical moment as the return of millions of Afghans places increasing pressure on communities already facing humanitarian and development challenges.
In a post on X, Salih said more than 6 million Afghans have returned since 2023, straining communities that are already struggling with poverty and limited services.
Salih said he is visiting Afghanistan alongside U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Alexander De Croo, where they are meeting returnees, host communities, women and girls to assess conditions and witness what he described as the resilience of the Afghan people.
He said rebuilding Afghanistan's future requires stability, inclusion and the participation of all segments of society, adding that expanding opportunities for women and girls is essential not only for protecting their rights but also for promoting stability, economic prosperity and resilience.
Salih also urged the international community to maintain its engagement with Afghanistan, saying humanitarian assistance remains vital but is insufficient on its own. He called for greater investment in protection, livelihoods, basic services and economic opportunities to help returnees rebuild their lives, strengthen communities and support the country's long-term recovery.
Afghanistan has experienced one of the world's largest return movements in recent years, with millions of Afghans returning from neighboring countries amid deportations, economic pressures and regional instability. U.N. agencies have repeatedly warned that without sustained international support, the growing number of returnees will place additional strain on already overstretched communities and public services.
