The Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation says the United Nations is reviewing a proposal to establish a new residential settlement and a carpet-weaving factory for returning Afghan refugees in Kabul.
According to the ministry, Vanessa Mater-Boli, Deputy Representative of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and representatives of the Kabul Municipality discussed the challenges facing returnees, as well as plans to establish the new settlement and carpet-weaving factory in Kabul.
Abdul Rahman Rashid, the Taliban ministry’s deputy for professional affairs, said the construction of the settlement and factory could be an important step toward supporting returning refugees and creating employment opportunities for them.
He added that the ministry is prepared to cooperate with relevant organizations and provide the land needed for the construction of refugee settlements in designated areas.
The UNHCR deputy representative said the agency, with the support of partner organizations, plans to establish a residential settlement and a carpet-weaving factory in the Charahi Pul area of Kabul.
According to her, the center will provide a range of services to returning refugees. She added that preliminary plans for the settlement and factory have already been prepared, and construction will begin after the necessary procedures are completed and the land issue is resolved.
UNHCR says its cash assistance center in Pul-e-Charkhi previously provided cash assistance to refugees. However, it has now been decided that, in cooperation with the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation and other organizations, the center will provide a range of services to returning refugees.
Representatives of the Kabul Municipality also welcomed the proposal, saying that joint cooperation among relevant institutions is necessary to help address the challenges faced by returning refugees.
The proposal comes as the return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran has accelerated in recent months. According to figures released by the authorities, nearly five million Afghans have returned to the country.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
