UN and Afghanistan Discuss Urgent Humanitarian and Economic Initiatives for Returnees
During a meeting between the Deputy Administrative Head of the Prime Minister’s Office and the newly appointed Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, various aspects of humanitarian cooperation, economic development, and job creation were explored. A key focus of the discussion was the management and support for the situation of over eight million returnees to the country.
Discussions on Economic Development and Humanitarian Services
Molavi Abdul Salam Hanifi, the Deputy Administrative Head of the caretaker government’s Prime Minister’s Office, engaged in a formal meeting with Fatima Rabbani, the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan. They discussed a broad range of critical topics, including development programs, humanitarian aid, and job creation.
In this meeting, the new UN representative expressed satisfaction with the ongoing developmental projects in the country and emphasized the necessity of sustained efforts towards economic recovery and revitalization.
UN Programs: From Alternative Livelihoods to Farmer Support
Fatima Rabbani outlined the UN’s policies and priorities, noting that aside from coordinating and distributing emergency aid, the international body is pursuing extensive programs aimed at enhancing the economic capabilities of the community. Priorities include creating alternative livelihoods for farmers, establishing continuous employment opportunities, and ensuring equitable distribution of support packages among returnees.
She also commended the management of responsible institutions in handling the significant challenge posed by the return of refugees and regarded this issue as one of the pressing responsibilities facing the country.
The Challenge of the Millions of Returning Refugees and Kabul’s Demands on International Bodies
On the other hand, Abdul Salam Hanifi noted that over eight million migrants have returned to the country and announced the mobilization of all available resources to address the issues faced by this population. He stressed that managing this significant number of returnees requires more active support from the international community.
The Deputy Administrative Head of the Prime Minister’s Office urged the UN and international organizations to extend their cooperation with Kabul towards ensuring the fundamental rights of returnees, providing sustainable shelter, and creating appropriate job opportunities.
