The Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation Affairs says its minister has held talks with United Nations officials on the situation of Afghan refugees, the forced deportation of Afghans from Pakistan and Iran, humanitarian assistance, and the expansion of cooperation.
According to the ministry, Abdul Kabir, the Taliban’s Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, said during the meeting that humanitarian assistance should not be politicized and called on the international community to continue its sustained support for the Afghan people.
According to the Taliban, Borham Saleh, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said that the purpose of his visit to Kabul was to assess the situation of Afghan refugees, monitor the implementation of humanitarian assistance programs, and meet directly with vulnerable and affected communities.
He described the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran as a matter of concern, stating that trilateral and quadrilateral meetings are needed to address the challenges facing Afghan refugees and facilitate their dignified return.
He added that, given the growing number of returnees and the expanding humanitarian needs, Afghanistan requires greater humanitarian and development assistance. He also said efforts are underway to strengthen international support and described the Taliban Ministry of Refugees’ management of the return process as effective.
Meanwhile, Alexander De Croo, head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said he had visited development projects in Jalalabad and Mazar-e-Sharif and described the current security situation and counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan as among the Taliban’s key achievements.
He also stressed the importance of continued international cooperation to support Afghanistan’s economic growth.
Separately, Abdul Kabir said that United Nations agencies have provided assistance to the Afghan people under difficult circumstances and continue to deliver services to large numbers of Afghans. He added that millions of Afghans have been forced to flee their homes as a result of decades of conflict and other crises, and that the root causes of displacement must be addressed to achieve a lasting solution.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
