KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Nangarhar province has ceased operations, reportedly due to budget constraints, according to reliable sources.
Nangarhar, a key transit point on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, plays a vital role in facilitating the return of refugees from Pakistan. Every day, hundreds of returnees pass through the province, many of whom rely on critical assistance.
The closure comes as reports emerge that the Taliban leadership is considering halting the activities of international organizations across Afghanistan.
A source familiar with the matter told KabulNow that Taliban leaders are divided on the issue. While Kandahari Taliban leaders, including the group’s reclusive chief Hibatullah Akhundzada, have pushed for shutting down foreign organizations, officials in Kabul reportedly oppose such closures.
Internal discussions have been ongoing in Kandahar for days, but no resolution has been reached.
As of now, the Taliban spokesperson has not issued a response to these developments.
This is not the first time the Taliban has imposed restrictions on international organizations, many of which primarily provide life-saving aid to millions of Afghans in dire need.
Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, Afghanistan has plunged deeper into a humanitarian crisis, becoming one of the world’s most severe emergencies. According to the UN, nearly 24 million people, mostly women and children, rely on humanitarian assistance in the country this year.
The UNHCR recently warned that approximately 6.6 million Afghans will require urgent shelter assistance this year. This escalating need is driven by multiple factors, including the high influx of returnees, devastating natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, and worsening poverty and unemployment.
The shutdown of the Nangarhar office could exacerbate the already dire situation, leaving countless vulnerable individuals without access to essential support.
