KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – On World Refugee Day, the European Union reaffirmed its support for displaced Afghans both inside Afghanistan and across the region, including in Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asia.
In a statement posted Friday on X, the EU delegation in Afghanistan said it is working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) through a €47 million partnership to assist displaced Afghans with access to healthcare, education, and livelihoods.
The support prioritizes women, vulnerable populations, and host communities, according to the delegation.
The EU said it is also working closely with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to find durable solutions for Afghan refugees and internally displaced people.
World Refugee Day, observed annually on June 20, was established by the UN General Assembly in 2000 to honor the resilience of millions forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, and human rights abuses.
Afghanistan remains one of the largest sources of displacement worldwide. Decades of war, poverty, and natural disasters have displaced millions, a situation that has worsened since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
In 2024, Afghanistan was ranked among the top three countries globally in terms of displacement, with over 10 million people affected, according to UNHCR data.
Meanwhile, stricter migration policies in Iran and Pakistan have led to the forced return of over two million Afghans in recent years. The mass deportations are occurring at a time when Afghanistan is facing a severe humanitarian crisis and human rights violations under Taliban rule.
