United Nations (TDI): The United Nations special representative for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, on Wednesday proposed a ‘prioritized’ regional dialogue with Pakistan, Iran and Central Asian countries to halt the disorderly return of Afghans and uphold the principle of voluntary, dignified and safe repatriation.
More than 1.3 million Afghans have returned home this year alone, placing enormous strain on already fragile communities, 70 percent of whom live below the poverty line.
“Afghanistan’s future cannot be separated from its neighbors. Stability in the region requires shared responsibility,” said Otunbayeva. “The consequences of silence and inaction will be grave, measured in human lives and potential regional unrest.”
Otunbayeva painted a troubling picture for returnees, especially women and children, who face the harshest conditions. Many are coming back to a country beset by economic collapse, limited access to basic services, and scarce protection systems. “We must not turn our backs,” she pleaded with international donors, humanitarian organizations, and regional leaders.
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According to Otunbayeva, the UN is pushing for a comprehensive response that goes beyond immediate aid. She emphasized the urgency of long-term solutions, such as livelihood programs and infrastructure investments, to help returnees reintegrate and prevent further displacement.
“Communities receiving these returnees are already stretched thin. Without swift and coordinated action, we risk pushing them beyond their limits,” she warned.
Otunbayeva cautioned that Afghanistan, still dealing with drought and an ongoing humanitarian crisis, cannot bear this burden alone. “This is a moment that tests our collective conscience.”
The UN’s humanitarian arm (UNOCHA) has also flagged a sharp increase in returns from Iran, reporting that 167,000 Afghans re-entered Afghanistan between July 1 and July 5, driven largely by recent tensions between Iran and Israel.
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UNOCHA noted a significant demographic shift in this wave of returnees: families now make up more than 60 percent of the influx, compared to earlier waves that mainly involved single men. Rising anti-Afghan sentiment and political instability have contributed to this new trend.
UNAMA warned that its humanitarian operations remain critically underfunded, forcing difficult trade-offs between food, shelter, and safe transit. “Without renewed global support, the region may face deeper instability,” Otunbayeva concluded.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
