Japan has allocated $2 million in emergency assistance to support Afghan returnees from Iran and Pakistan, as well as host communities in Afghanistan. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees announced on Wednesday (March 20) that the aid package will provide emergency services to more than 116,000 people, including women and children, and will be implemented this year in areas hosting returnees. According to the statement, around 23,000 returnees will receive emergency cash assistance to help meet urgent needs such as transportation, housing rent, and food in a dignified and flexible manner. Priority for assistance will be given to female-headed households, people with disabilities, and individuals facing protection risks. The aid package will also provide protection services and training to about 11,000 women and girls through programs aimed at preventing and responding to gender-based violence. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees added that about 77,000 returnees and members of host communities will be monitored through protection assessments, including at border reception centers to identify protection risks and human rights concerns. Support services will also be provided to nearly 2,400 vulnerable children. In addition, the project will construct 84 permanent and climate-resilient shelters for returning families to help address their basic needs.
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