RASC News Agency: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Afghanistan has announced a generous $1.5 million donation from Japan aimed at supporting Afghanistani returnees from neighboring countries. In a statement issued today Tuesday, December 24, the IOM revealed that the Japanese government’s contribution will be utilized to provide emergency assistance to approximately 5,000 returnees crossing border points from Iran and Pakistan. Mia Park, Chief of the IOM Mission in Afghanistan, highlighted the critical importance of this aid, noting: “Japan’s enduring commitment to IOM operations in Afghanistan allows us to extend much-needed assistance to individuals returning under extremely vulnerable circumstances many with little more than the clothes on their backs.”
The IOM emphasized the urgency of support, stating that hundreds of Afghanistani migrants are forcibly repatriated daily. Without immediate humanitarian aid, these returnees face dire living conditions. The organization confirmed that its reception and transit centers will provide a range of essential services, including temporary shelter, hot meals, transportation, medical care, relief items, and financial assistance. In addition to aiding returnees, the IOM underscored its dedication to supporting host communities and internally displaced persons across Afghanistan, further mitigating the impact of widespread displacement.
This intervention comes amid an escalating deportation crisis, with host countries like Iran and Pakistan intensifying expulsions of Afghanistani migrants. Meanwhile, Afghanistan continues to grapple with a severe economic downturn, leaving thousands destitute. Compounding these challenges are climate change and natural disasters, which have forced countless families into homelessness and despair. Japan’s financial contribution is a crucial lifeline for Afghanistan’s most vulnerable populations, underscoring the necessity for sustained international cooperation to address the country’s multifaceted humanitarian crises.
