IOM, EU provide support to 200,000 Afghans

KABUL (Pajhwok): The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Union, through the Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), have provided crucial assistance to nearly 200,000 vulnerable Afghans since late 2023.

The agency said on Thursday the support was vital in light of record numbers of forced returns following a Pakistani government deadline for undocumented Afghans to leave the country, as well as the devastating earthquakes that struck Herat province in October 2023.

The EU-funded project, which concluded in December 2024, allowed IOM to provide essential post-arrival humanitarian aid at eight reception and transit centres in Herat, Nimroz, Kandahar, and Nangarhar provinces.

IOM assisted over 190,500 vulnerable returnees from Pakistan and Iran, offering overnight accommodation, hot meals, cash for transportation and multi-purpose cash assistance, health and psychosocial support, as well as specialised protection aid.

IOM’s rapid and targeted support helped many navigate immediate hardships. “We spent decades building our life in Pakistan, but it all ended overnight when we were forced to return. The challenges were immense,” said Nargis.

A single mother of three who received post-arrival assistance in Torkham, she said: Having a safe place to stay, meals for my children and medical help made all the difference.”

At a time where economic hardship and the increasing impact of climate change are driving communities to the edge, the EU remains a strong, reliable and committed humanitarian partner in Afghanistan.

EU Humanitarian Aid has enabled IOM to continue its lifesaving work, reaching hundreds of thousands of Afghans in dire need; whether through post-arrival support for returnees or emergency aid for earthquake survivors, said François Goemans, head of EU’s humanitarian aid office in Afghanistan.

“Now, more than ever, sustained support is critical. Returnees continue to arrive in growing numbers, and frequent disasters further drive humanitarian needs and displacement.

“To end the negative cycle of irregular and forced migration, we hope to continue our valuable partnership with the European Union and other donors to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most,” said IOM Afghanistan Chief of Mission Mihyung Park.

sa/mud