United Nations: Over 5 million people have returned to Afghanistan since 2023

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) reports that more than five million people have returned to Afghanistan since 2023. The report says the increase in returnees has led to rapid population growth in the country and created new challenges in housing, urban services, and basic infrastructure. It adds that the UN will discuss coordination mechanisms for the reintegration and support of returnees to Afghanistan at a meeting in Baku today. The report further notes that this large-scale return has increased the need for stronger coordination between international and domestic institutions.