The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched a major Emergency Appeal in response to the escalating crisis facing Afghan returnees. Nearly 1mn Afghans have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan over the past 18 months, with more than 145,000 people arriving this month alone—an eightfold increase from February.
The mass influx of returnees is placing immense pressure on Afghanistan’s already fragile infrastructure, healthcare system, and food supplies. Many of the returnees are living in overcrowded shelters, with up to four families sharing a single tent. The crisis has been further exacerbated by limited access to essential services, including clean water, food, and medical care.
In response, the IFRC initially allocated CHF (Swiss Francs) 750,000 ($910,547) from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) in providing emergency aid such as shelter, healthcare, food, and water.
However, the scale of the crisis has prompted the IFRC to launch a broader Emergency Appeal, seeking to raise CHF 25mn ($30.4mn). The funds will be used to provide urgent relief and long-term support over the next two years, including income generation activities, vocational training, and cash-for-work programs.
The appeal will prioritize the most vulnerable returnees, including pregnant women, unaccompanied children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. The aim is to reduce the risks of gender-based violence, malnutrition, and social marginalization, while ensuring that vital assistance reaches those most in need.
"The humanitarian situation is dire," said a mother who gave birth at the Spin Boldak Crossing Point in Kandahar. "My children were born in Pakistan and don't have any identification. I don’t know how to get IDs for them. Their education is delayed, and we have no shelter in Kabul or Baghlan. We don’t know where to go or how to meet our daily needs."
Mawlawi Sheikh Shahabuddin Delawar, Acting President of ARCS, stressed the urgent need to protect vulnerable returnees, highlighting that many have lost their homes, livelihoods, and loved ones.
Ahmed Suliman, IFRC’s interim Head of Delegation in Afghanistan, warned that the crisis is rapidly worsening and emphasized the need for immediate aid and long-term support to help returnees rebuild their lives.
The IFRC is calling on the international community, donors, and partners to support the Emergency Appeal and help provide Afghan returnees with the opportunity to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.
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