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UNAMA working to create job opportunities for returning Afghan refugees

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The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is actively working to support the reintegration of Afghan refugees returning from neighboring countries by creating job opportunities and addressing their immediate needs.

During a recent meeting with Mohammad Naeem, Deputy Minister of Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNAMA’s Head of Mission, Roza Otunbayeva, emphasized the UN’s continued commitment to the Afghan people.

She stated that UNAMA is focused on not only providing basic living assistance but also developing employment opportunities for returnees to help ensure sustainable reintegration.

The meeting came amid a significant rise in the number of Afghan refugees returning from Iran and Pakistan, many of whom arrive in vulnerable conditions and require urgent support.

Both officials discussed the urgent needs of returnees and explored potential areas of cooperation to provide essential services and long-term solutions.

Naeem expressed appreciation for the UN’s support and urged UNAMA to continue its efforts in facilitating basic services for returning migrants, especially those lacking shelter, healthcare, and access to livelihoods.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Otunbayeva reaffirming the UN’s dedication to standing with the Afghan people, stating: “UNAMA is working not only to provide essential living assistance but also to create viable employment opportunities for returnees.”

Meanwhile, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has warned that the forced return of Afghan migrants from Pakistan has significantly strained Afghanistan’s already fragile infrastructure and service delivery capacity.

According to IFRC, more than one million Afghan migrants have returned—either voluntarily or through forced deportation—from Pakistan between 15 September 2023 and May 2025, entering the country through official crossings like Torkham, Spin Boldak, Ghulam Khan, and Badini, and informal border points.

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Afghan children return from malnutrition treatment to food-insecure families

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Children recovering from malnutrition in Afghanistan often return to households that lack the resources to provide the nutritious food they need to fully recover and grow, Action Against Hunger has warned.

The organization said recurrent drought, poverty, food insecurity and limited household incomes are making it difficult for families to prevent children from falling back into malnutrition after completing treatment.

However, repeated drought and other climate-related shocks have reduced harvests and household income, leaving families struggling to provide adequate nutrition for their children.

Action Against Hunger said the situation highlights the need to go beyond treating malnutrition and address the underlying causes of hunger and poverty.

The warning comes as malnutrition cases continue to rise across Afghanistan. In June 2026, the Therapeutic Feeding Unit in Kabul recorded 142 new admissions, a 149 percent increase compared with the same period in 2025.

Similar increases have been reported in other provinces where Action Against Hunger operates. In Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, the organization expanded the capacity of its therapeutic feeding unit from 45 beds to 72 and then to 118 within a matter of weeks due to the sharp rise in cases.

Action Against Hunger said climate-related shocks, including severe winter conditions, drought and water shortages, have further weakened food security across the country. Water shortages have damaged agricultural production in rural areas, forcing some families to leave their homes in search of livelihoods and basic necessities.

The organization stressed that sustained investment in both emergency nutrition services and longer-term livelihood programmes is needed to help families break the cycle of poverty and recurrent malnutrition.

Cobi Rietveld, Afghanistan Country Director at Action Against Hunger, said addressing the root causes of hunger is essential for achieving lasting progress against malnutrition.

“When families have the means to earn a living and provide for their children, the benefits extend far beyond nutrition,” Rietveld said, adding that livelihood support can help families meet their needs with dignity, protect children’s futures and build resilience against future crises.

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UNESCO: 2.4 million Afghan girls denied education since 2021

UNESCO estimates that the ban could force around 600,000 Afghan women out of the workforce by 2066 and cause $9.6 billion in lost income. It could also increase the risk of early marriage.

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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said on Tuesday around 2.4 million Afghan girls have been denied secondary education since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) returned to power in 2021.

In a statement on Tuesday, UNESCO said Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls and women are officially barred from secondary and higher education.

The organization warned that the restrictions could increase poverty, reduce employment opportunities and cause long-term damage to Afghanistan’s future.

UNESCO estimates that the ban could force around 600,000 Afghan women out of the workforce by 2066 and cause $9.6 billion in lost income. It could also increase the risk of early marriage.

Girls’ secondary schools were closed in March 2022, followed by a ban on women attending universities in December of the same year. The IEA initially described the restrictions as temporary, but they remain in place.

UNESCO also warned that the restrictions could worsen Afghanistan’s shortage of female teachers. It estimates the country could face a shortage of more than 11,000 qualified female teachers by 2030.

The organization said more than 90% of 10-year-old children in Afghanistan cannot read a simple text, while the national literacy rate is around 37%.

Nearly half of the country’s schools also lack adequate access to water, sanitation or heating, UNESCO said.

According to the report, around three million people returned to Afghanistan in 2025, putting further pressure on the education system. Since 2021, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters have also forced around 1,000 schools to close.

The Islamic Emirate has not yet responded to the statement. It has previously said that girls’ education is an internal issue for Afghanistan and that efforts are underway to find a solution.
 
 
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Russian firm eyes investment in Afghanistan’s power plants

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Russia’s Power Machines Company is interested in investing in the rehabilitation and modernization of Afghanistan’s power plants, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) said on Tuesday.

DABS Chief Executive Officer Abdul Haq Hamkar discussed the potential investment with technical officials from Power Machines, with talks focusing on rehabilitating existing power plants, modernizing equipment and expanding power-generation capacity.

According to DABS, Hamkar said the company would cooperate in facilitating preliminary technical assessments of Afghanistan’s power plants and in exploring investment opportunities in the sector.

Denis Rudakov, head of Power Machines’ commercial department, said the Russian company plans to conduct preliminary technical assessments of existing power plants in Afghanistan.

Based on the findings, Power Machines will prepare proposals for rehabilitating facilities, modernizing equipment and increasing electricity-generation capacity, DABS said.

Afghanistan currently has several operational power plants, while efforts are underway to increase their generation capacity and upgrade their equipment, according to DABS.

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