Since August 2021, Afghanistan has witnessed the return of over 6.5 million Afghans, with an additional 3 million expected to return by the end of 2025. With half the population of Afghanistan already in need of humanitarian assistance, the scale of returns poses a risk of needs on the ground exceeding organizations’ response capacity as humanitarian efforts remain hampered by limited funding, access constraints, and gender-based restrictions.
For over two decades, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has remained a dedicated and reliable organization in Afghanistan, providing critical humanitarian assistance to displacement-affected communities. NRC delivers life-saving support across multiple thematic areas, including legal assistance, shelter and settlements, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), livelihoods and food security, education, and protection. In 2024, NRC reached over 215,961 individuals with humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.
Due to suspensions and cuts in funding from the United States, NRC has been forced to end some of its programming in Afghanistan, including community resource centres and shelter and livelihoods support. The closure of programs has led to the closure of two provincial offices and necessitated the termination of dozens of contracts, including both international and Afghan staff. NRC calls on Congress and the US government to renew their commitment to meeting urgent humanitarian needs in Afghanistan. NRC also urgently asks:
- For the international community to engage diplomatically with host countries to maintain their generous, longstanding support for Afghan refugees, providing protection and adhering to UNHCR's non-return advisory.
- For donors to renew their support and solidarity with Afghan returnees during this critical time, when the international support to Afghanistan remains limited. This includes provision of funding for urgent humanitarian response at border points and areas of return, addressing critical needs such as legal assistance and shelter.
