Jan Egeland: World Must Not Forget Afghanistan

DIDPress: With the large-scale return of Afghan migrants, the need for immediate international support is more critical than ever, warned head of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, raised the alarm in a social media post about the dire situation facing returning Afghans.

According to him, over the past two years, more than two million Afghans have been forced to return from neighboring countries such as Pakistan and Iran—and the trend continues.

Returnees face severe challenges, including water shortages, lack of job opportunities, no access to education, and inadequate shelter, stressed Egeland.

“We need urgent support. People are returning with nothing,” he wrote in his message. 

Due to global funding cuts, the Norwegian Refugee Council has also been forced to reduce its operations and services in regions like Jalalabad city.

Egeland described these cuts as “distressing and alarming,” adding that it is impossible to meet vast humanitarian needs without resources.

He called on the international community to make real, actionable commitments to support the Afghan people at the upcoming donor conference for Afghanistan, set to take place in Brussels.

Egeland warned that ignoring this crisis could lead to severe regional and humanitarian consequences.