The Afghan Ministry of Urban Development and Housing has announced the allocation of over 94,027 acres of land across 25 provinces to provide permanent housing for forcibly returned Afghan migrants. Kamal Afghan, the ministry’s spokesperson, stated that the land, distributed among approximately 60 townships, aims to support families returning from neighboring countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan, amid ongoing regional tensions.
This initiative responds to the increasing number of deportees, with over 393,000 Afghans expelled from Iran and Pakistan in the first five months of 2025 alone. The ministry is working to develop these townships into sustainable residential areas, offering returnees access to housing and basic services. Posts on X highlight the scale of the effort, noting that the government is prioritizing infrastructure development to ease the reintegration process, though challenges like funding shortages and internal administrative delays persist.
The land allocation comes as Afghanistan grapples with a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by declining international aid and regional instability. Herat, a key entry point for returnees, is seeing significant strain, with local officials calling for coordinated efforts to manage the influx. The ministry’s plan includes constructing homes and providing utilities, aiming to stabilize communities and support Afghanistan’s long-term development goals.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 7th, 2025
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