1.7 Million Afghans Return from Iran, Pakistan: UN

1.7 Million Afghans Return from Iran, Pakistan: UN
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According to a report from Xinhua News Agency, a total of 1.7 million Afghan citizens have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan since the beginning of the year. The returns have put a strain on Afghanistan’s resources, with many of the returnees struggling to find shelter and economic opportunities.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated that the UN Central Emergency Response Fund has released $10 million to aid with the crisis, with more funding expected from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that over half of Afghanistan’s population requires vital aid, with women and girls being particularly vulnerable. OCHA has also stressed the urgent need for additional funding, noting that this year’s Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is only 25 percent funded.