Japan Allocates $2M for Afghan Returnees, Vulnerable Host Communities

DID Press: Japan has pledged $2 million to the UNHCR to provide emergency support for more than 116,000 Afghan returnees from Iran and Pakistan, as well as vulnerable host communities in Afghanistan.

The assistance includes cash support for roughly 23,000 returnees to cover urgent needs such as transportation, rent, and food; protection services for over 77,000 people; targeted support for women and girls at risk of gender-based violence; and aid for approximately 4,400 vulnerable children. In addition, UNHCR will construct 84 durable, climate-resilient shelters for returnees and host families.

Afghanistan saw over 2.8 million returnees in 2025, many arriving with minimal assets and immediate needs for shelter, food, and protection. The situation has been compounded by two major earthquakes in 2025 and operational constraints in humanitarian delivery.

Japan’s support aligns with its priorities on human security, gender equality, peace, and a humanitarian development-peace nexus approach, as well as commitments under the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) and the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR).