Latest News
UN refugee agency raises alarm over funding shortfall amid Afghanistan returnee crisis
The UN Development Programme reports that 75% of Afghanistan’s population is struggling to survive, with half in urgent need of humanitarian aid
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed serious concern over funding shortfalls as it continues to support Afghan returnees from Pakistan.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over three million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan from neighboring countries since September 2023. Many were deported or fled fearing arrest after Pakistan announced its plan to repatriate all undocumented foreigners.
In 2025 alone, an estimated 780,000 Afghans returned, including over 351,000 deportees, Dawn reported, citing UNHCR figures.
Meanwhile, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) reports that 75% of Afghanistan’s population is struggling to survive, with half in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
UNHCR’s representative in Afghanistan, Arafat Jamal, said the agency requires $216 million to meet its goals this year, but has received only 25% of the needed funds so far. Due to this shortfall, UNHCR is limited to providing only the most basic humanitarian support.
“It can help someone survive, but not effectively rebuild,” Jamal said.
The funding crisis is also affecting programs designed to protect Afghan women and girls, as well as those assisting them.
UNHCR emphasized that decades of international investment in Afghanistan are at risk without continued support. It urged neighboring countries to treat Afghan returnees with dignity and work together on sustainable, voluntary repatriation solutions.
The UN body urged the international community to “not abandon its investments, to stay the course and to provide political and financial support” for dispersed Afghans to “return and build their futures”.
“We have supported the governments that have hosted them and we are with them now as many make the journey back.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan announced on Tuesday the release of American citizen Dennis Coyle from prison.
According to the ministry, Coyle’s mother had written to the leader of the Islamic Emirate demanding amnesty and the release of her son on the occasion of Eid. The Supreme Court considered time served sufficient and decided to release him.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this action was carried out on the basis of humanitarianism and good faith, and it believes that such measures can strengthen trust between countries. The ministry also expressed hope that both countries, in the future, can find solutions to remaining issues through mutual understanding and constructive dialogue.
The Islamic Emirate also expressed appreciation for the cooperation of the United Arab Emirates in this matter.
Separately, for Coyle’s release, an American delegation, including Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan, met on Tuesday with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate.
The meeting was also attended by Saif Mohammed Al-Ketbi, Ambassador of the UAE in Kabul, and a member of the prisoner’s family.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muttaqi stated that the Islamic Emirate has not detained any citizen of any country to achieve political objectives; rather, detentions were the result of legal violations, and individuals were released after completing judicial procedures.
At the meeting, Khalilzad praised the action of the Islamic Emirate and emphasized the importance of continuing discussions on all issues between the two countries, expressing hope for further progress in the future.
Muttaqi also stressed that Kabul and the UAE should provide standard consular services to their citizens, and that the Afghan government is fully prepared in this regard.
He thanked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for their constructive role in facilitating the release of the prisoner and referred to the UAE as a close friend of Afghanistan.
Earlier, Muttaqi had also praised the role of the State of Qatar in facilitating information exchange between the Islamic Emirate and the prisoner’s family.
Additionally, the UAE ambassador expressed his country’s readiness to play a role in humanitarian institutions and called such developments beneficial for everyone.
The United Kingdom has announced an additional £3 million (AFN 257 million) in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, aimed at supporting people affected by natural disasters and other shocks.
Richard Lindsay, in a post on X, said the funding will be used to provide essential nutrition supplies and related support to vulnerable populations.
The new allocation brings the UK’s total bilateral assistance to Afghanistan for the current financial year to £154 million (AFN 13.18 billion).
Saar: Discussion on criticism of Pakistan’s policies
Islamic Emirate releases American prisoner Dennis Coyle
UK announces additional £3 million in aid for vulnerable people in Afghanistan
Around 2.3 million tourists visited Afghanistan’s recreational areas during Eid: Ghufran
Berlin does not recognize IEA envoy as charge d’affaires of Afghan embassy
Pakistani military jet downed in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad, pilot captured alive
Afghan Air Force conducts airstrikes in Islamabad, other cities
Prominent Muslim scholar issues fatwa calling for Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire
Afghan air force strikes key Pakistani military installations in retaliatory operation
IEA: Special circle in Pakistan has launched mission to destabilize region
Tahawol: Possibility of US ground forces entering Iran war discussed
Saar: Using US prisoners as political pressure
Tahawol: Pakistan’s efforts to destabilise Afghanistan
Saar: Decline in international assistance to Afghanistan
Tawsia: Assessment of Afghanistan’s economic activities in 1404
-
Sport4 days agoAfghanistan national buzkashi falls short in Kokpar World Championship semifinals
-
Sport3 days agoIreland to host Afghanistan for ODI series in August
-
Latest News3 days agoMojtaba Khamenei calls for improved Afghanistan–Pakistan relations, offers help
-
Latest News2 days agoDeadly violence likely without dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan: ICG
-
Sport4 days agoFIFA sanctions Israeli Football Association over discrimination violations
-
Latest News3 days agoMalaysian PM welcomes temporary Afghanistan–Pakistan truce, urges lasting peace
-
Latest News4 days agoIEA defense ministry accuses Pakistan of ceasefire violations
-
Latest News1 day agoPakistan seeks Russian mediation to resolve Afghanistan tensions