UK and Italy Pledge Continued Humanitarian Aid to Returning Afghan Refugees

The embassies of the United Kingdom and Italy in Afghanistan have announced, coinciding with World Refugee Day, that their humanitarian support for Afghan refugees, internally displaced persons, and returnees will continue. On Saturday, June 20, both diplomatic missions issued separate statements emphasizing their commitment to supporting vulnerable families.

The British embassy expressed gratitude for the “resilience and perseverance” of Afghan migrants and refugees, stating that the country’s aid is being delivered through the International Organization for Migration in Afghanistan. According to the embassy, these efforts specifically target families returning to the country after years of displacement.

The UK embassy’s statement underscored that in the process of providing humanitarian assistance, “no one should be forgotten or left behind.” This comes amid serious livelihood challenges faced by many returnees due to the absence of effective support programs inside Afghanistan.

Similarly, the Italian embassy issued a separate statement highlighting the continuation of cooperation with international organizations to support internally displaced people, returnees, and host communities. The embassy described international collaboration as vital to improving living conditions for displaced persons and strengthening the capacities of hosting areas within Afghanistan.

These statements come as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that since 2023, more than six million Afghans have returned to the country. According to OCHA, a significant portion of these returnees have gone back to regions already burdened by widespread poverty, limited job opportunities, and restricted access to essential services.

Despite the increase in returns, aid organizations have repeatedly warned that resource shortages, existing administrative constraints under Taliban rule, and the lack of sustainable economic programs pose serious challenges to the reintegration process for returnees. This situation calls for urgent international attention and greater responsibility from within Afghanistan.