Grandi: Mismanagement of Afghan refugee returns creates regional instability

KABUL: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Commissioner has warned that if the difficult situation surrounding the return of Afghan refugees is not managed properly, it could lead to reactions that threaten the stability of the entire region. Filippo Grandi urged neighboring countries to manage this crisis with care and precision, considering the decades of generous hosting of Afghan refugees. He stated, “I call on those neighboring countries that have hosted Afghan refugees with patience and generosity for decades to now manage this difficult situation with a humanitarian spirit, tolerance, and a gradual approach, or else we may see reactions that destabilize the entire region.” Grandi highlighted that many returning Afghans come back empty-handed. The primary challenge they face is finding shelter, as they have been away from their homeland for years and have no homes to return to. According to the UNHCR, over 1.5 million Afghans have returned from Iran this year, and providing services for these returnees requires significant resources. He noted that many Afghans live below the poverty line, making the challenges for returnees even more severe.