Urgent Call for Aid as Thousands of Families Return to Afghanistan Before Winter

The OCHA office has announced that thousands of returning families to Afghanistan urgently require immediate assistance, shelter, and fuel as winter approaches.

Urgent Humanitarian Needs

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has issued a recent report warning that, with the onset of winter, thousands of returning families in Afghanistan are in dire need of urgent aid, adequate shelter, and heating supplies. In a message shared on the social media platform X on Monday, October 20, the organization emphasized the critical importance of delivering humanitarian assistance to those in need and stated that the relief effort should not face interruptions.

New Challenges with Winter’s Arrival

OCHA noted the challenges ahead, stating, “Winter does not wait, and the aid process must not be delayed.” Previously, UN-affiliated agencies had announced that to support approximately 2.7 million Afghan migrants expected to return from Iran and Pakistan between now and January 2026, a budget of $529 million is required.

Heavy Burden on Vulnerable Families

Forced expulsions and the large-scale return of refugees from neighboring countries, compounded by an early cold snap, have placed a heavy burden on vulnerable families, driving up demand for housing and heating supplies. These challenging conditions make immediate and effective response plans more crucial than ever.