UN Highlights Afghanistan's Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis, 8 Million Refugees in Region

The humanitarian and economic crises in Afghanistan remain dire, with ongoing human rights abuses, food insecurity, and natural disasters threatening regional stability into 2025, according to a recent UNHCR report. Women and girls face particularly severe challenges under a newly introduced morality law that restricts their access to education and public life. Iran and Pakistan host approximately 8 million Afghan refugees, with both countries facing increasing economic pressures that exacerbate the hardships for these vulnerable populations. The World Bank highlighted Afghanistan's precarious economic recovery, noting a significant trade deficit and a drop in coal and textile exports following the Taliban's return to power. Additionally, severe flooding earlier this year affected hundreds of thousands, leading to extensive damage and diseases, prompting humanitarian responses from organizations like the Afghan Red Crescent Society. The situation underscores the urgent need for international support and coordinated efforts to address the multifaceted crises facing Afghanistan.