Red Cross: Taliban must facilitate lives of returning Afghan children

KABUL: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that Afghan children returning from Iran are facing severe humanitarian conditions, extreme heat, and health issues. The Red Cross highlighted serious concerns, including fever, skin diseases, contagious illnesses, separation from families, and a lack of permanent shelter, alongside food and education shortages. Nicolle Van Tienhoven, a member of the organization, stated that Afghanistan is a forgotten crisis, overshadowed by multiple other global issues that have drawn international attention. She believes that ordinary Afghans are being sidelined. She warned that returnees face challenges not only at the borders but also upon entering Afghanistan, where they must struggle for shelter, livelihood, and rebuilding their lives. There are significant concerns regarding the expulsion of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan, with fears that this could lead to a humanitarian disaster affecting millions. Additionally, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan expressed similar concerns during a recent visit to Herat, warning that this is a wake-up call for the international community. Alongside international aid organizations, calls are being made to the Taliban government to make serious efforts, particularly regarding health, food, education, and permanent shelter for returning Afghan children.