KABUL: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced yesterday that it has suspended its operations in centers for returning Afghans across various provinces of Afghanistan. This decision came after the current Afghan authorities barred Afghan women from working. According to UNHCR, due to these restrictions, they were compelled to halt their services starting September 9. The statement stated that UNHCR’s assistance centers are crucial for returning Afghans, providing them with cash, advice, and support to reintegrate into their communities after years of exile and displacement. The UNHCR emphasized that this decision was made based on “operational necessities,” as it is impossible to gather information and conduct interviews with returning women without female staff, given that women make up 52% of the displaced population. The statement noted: “We are currently engaging in constructive dialogue with the authorities and hope to reach a solution soon that allows female employees to return to their duties while ensuring that female returnees receive support in accordance with cultural norms.” The statement reiterated that the safety and security of all UNHCR staff, particularly female employees, is a priority, while also striving to meet the humanitarian needs of displaced and returning Afghans, a commitment the agency has upheld for over four decades.
