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UN launches $23 million project to support returnees, displaced families in northern Afghanistan

The project will be rolled out over 24 months in 11 communities across Kunduz and Baghlan and will focus on housing reconstruction, access to basic services, and other critical needs

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The United Nations has launched a major new initiative to support return refugees and communities impacted by displacement in Afghanistan’s Kunduz and Baghlan provinces.

The project aims to improve the lives of returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host communities through infrastructure development, livelihood support, and community-led planning.

The $23.01 million initiative is being implemented jointly by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN-Habitat, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), with funding from the UN Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA) and additional contributions from the implementing agencies.

Indrika Ratwatte, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan and the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, formally launched the project during a ceremony attended by UN agency representatives, civil society organizations, and community leaders.

“This joint initiative is essential for ensuring the sustainable reintegration of returnees and meeting the recovery needs of people across the country,” said Ratwatte. “Led by the United Nations and its partners, it is designed to bring real, lasting improvements to the lives of returnees and the communities that welcome them.”

The project will be rolled out over 24 months in 11 communities across Kunduz and Baghlan and will focus on housing reconstruction, access to basic services, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and economic resilience, while also promoting social cohesion through participatory governance.

“We are grateful for introducing durable solutions that will change lives,” said Habibullah Khan, a project beneficiary from Kunduz.

In addition to infrastructure and economic support, the project will address protection issues by offering mine risk education, legal aid on housing, land, and property (HLP) rights, and identity documentation services.

The initiative comes at a critical time, as hundreds of thousands of Afghan returnees, particularly from Pakistan and Iran, continue to place mounting pressure on already strained host communities across northern Afghanistan. The region is also grappling with internal displacement due to conflict, natural disasters, and economic hardship.

“Returnees bring valuable skills, experiences, and networks that can contribute significantly to rebuilding the economy,” Ratwatte noted.

“By supporting housing construction, job creation, and long-term employment opportunities, the project fosters reintegration that enables returnees to become drivers of positive change in their communities.”

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Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan boost trade and digital finance ties

Minister Sydykov, in turn, pledged the continuation of Kyrgyzstan’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and highlighted his country’s interest in working together on e-governance initiatives.

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Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, Abdul Salam Hanafi, has met with a high-level Kyrgyz delegation led by Minister of Economy and Commerce Bakhyt Sydykov to discuss expanding bilateral trade and strengthening cooperation in digital financial services.

During the meeting, Hanafi reaffirmed Afghanistan’s readiness to deepen ties with Kyrgyzstan, stressing the importance of developing electronic administration systems and modern banking channels to facilitate trade and financial transactions between the two countries.

Minister Sydykov, in turn, pledged the continuation of Kyrgyzstan’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and highlighted his country’s interest in working together on e-governance initiatives. He also pointed to potential cooperation in areas such as the printing of securities and the development of electronic payment systems.

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India reaffirms healthcare support to Afghanistan, hands over medicines and vaccines

Indian officials said the support underscores New Delhi’s commitment to helping improve healthcare services and access to life-saving treatment in Afghanistan.

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India has reaffirmed its commitment to continued humanitarian assistance and healthcare cooperation with Afghanistan, with a focus on the long-term supply of essential medicines.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda held a productive meeting with Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in the health sector and addressing the medical needs of the Afghan people.

During the meeting, a symbolic handover of cancer medicines and vaccines was carried out, reflecting India’s ongoing support for Afghanistan’s healthcare system. The ministry also announced that a larger consignment of medicines, vaccines, and a 128-slice CT scanner is being dispatched to Afghanistan as part of India’s humanitarian assistance efforts.

Indian officials said the support underscores New Delhi’s commitment to helping improve healthcare services and access to life-saving treatment in Afghanistan.

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Afghan forces target hideout of suspects linked to cross-border attacks on Chinese nationals

Afghan forces target hideout of suspects linked to cross-border attacks on Chinese nationals

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Security sources said that special forces of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) have targeted a hideout in Badakhshan province linked to suspects involved in attacks against Chinese nationals in neighboring Tajikistan.

According to the sources, the operation was carried out on Tuesday night in Faizabad city, where several individuals suspected of orchestrating cross-border attacks from Badakhshan’s frontier regions were believed to be present. As a result of the operation, one wanted suspect was arrested alive along with weapons and other military equipment.

The sources added that preliminary investigations and initial confessions by the detainee indicate the planning of the attacks was carried out from outside Afghanistan.

This comes as Tajikistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on November 27 that three Chinese citizens were killed in an attack in Khatlon province.

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