South Korea has committed $3mn in humanitarian aid to assist displaced Afghans, returning refugees, and vulnerable host communities, Amu reported citing the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
The funding will support the construction of permanent shelters for 400 households, or approximately 2,800 people, many of whom have recently returned to Afghanistan after prolonged periods of displacement. This initiative also includes mental health and psychosocial support programs targeting 34,000 individuals affected by the long-term impacts of conflict and instability.
Afghanistan continues to face immense humanitarian challenges, with decades of war, natural disasters, and harsh winters leaving millions in unsafe or makeshift housing. Shelter has become one of the most urgent needs, particularly for returnees who are working to rebuild their lives after years of displacement.
The newly constructed shelters will be designed to endure earthquakes, floods, and extreme weather conditions, providing safe and dignified living spaces for returnee families in UNHCR-designated Priority Areas of Return and Reintegration (PARRs). These areas, which are home to large populations of displaced people, are central to ongoing efforts aimed at enhancing community resilience and improving access to essential services.
Additionally, the grant will support the expansion of mental health and psychosocial support programs, offering individual counseling, group therapy, and referrals to specialized care for individuals struggling with psychosocial distress. It is estimated that more than half of Afghanistan’s population is affected by such issues.
“We are extremely grateful for this strong support from the Republic of Korea,” said Arafat Jamal, UNHCR’s Representative in Afghanistan. “This contribution will enable us to provide both immediate assistance and long-term solutions for some of the most vulnerable people who have faced displacement and are now striving to rebuild their lives.”
The aid comes at a time when Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis remains critical, with funding shortfalls jeopardizing vital relief efforts for displaced communities.
Earlier, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned that cuts to international aid and a freeze in U.S. foreign funding are putting millions of Afghans at risk of hunger this winter. WFP’s Country Director, Hsiao-Wei Lee, stated that the agency can now only assist half of the 15mn Afghans in urgent need of food aid.
U.N. data reveals that Afghanistan's 2024 humanitarian plan is only partially funded, with aid officials concerned about further cuts in the coming months. The U.S., historically the largest donor to Afghanistan, halted new aid following a review by the U.S. State Department. This decision also includes a "stop-work" order on current foreign assistance, though its impact on ongoing humanitarian efforts remains uncertain.
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