UN-Habitat

UN-Habitat Afghanistan

The Afghanistan Programme is a strategic partner of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in promoting sustainable urban development. Since 1992, UN-Habitat has worked closely with the government, municipal and local authorities, especially Afghan communities, contributing to the physical and social reconstruction of the country. Our work has focused on assisting the government in the development of urban policies and regulations; strategic urban planning; increasing municipal revenue;  establishing community-based organizations; addressing the land and housing needs of IDPs and returnees and contributing to the provision of basic urban services.

The fall of the government in the August 2021 event has led to a decline in human rights especially for women and girls. The international community also stopped much needed aid affecting public expenditure and socio-economic activities triggering a dire need for humanitarian and basic human needs assistance. Climate change, natural disasters, and forced returnees from Pakistan have also increased the needs for humanitarian assistance and basic human services. According to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) 2024, an estimated 27.3 million people need humanitarian assistance with $3.06 billion required to support over 17.3 million people. Furthermore, OCHA Natural Disasters Overview May 2024, stated over 20,308 people have been affected by natural disasters with 62 dead and 37 injured since January 2024. IOM Afghanistan Situation Report March-April 2024 reported over 548,900 returnees have been documented with the Afghanistan HNRP 2024 estimating an additional 423,000 returnees and 60,000 refugees from Pakistan projected in 2024.

Insecure Housing, Land and Property (HLP) rights have resulted in frequent evictions for residents of informal settlements. across Afghanistan, harming already vulnerable populations. Consequently, averting evictions is a priority to arrest a worsening humanitarian crisis. As well as evictions, insecure HLP rights constrain lifesaving service and infrastructure investments in informal settlements, leading to unsafe physical environments (unlit streets, exposure to disease, unsanitary/unavailable/inadequate WASH), and increasing safety risks, particularly for women. The proposed action deploys a community-based approach to strengthen HLP rights and make gender safe investments in informal settlements in two Afghan cities. This action will reduce the threat of eviction and increase women’s safety in the cities of Kabul and Herat where the 2023 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) shows high HLP and GBV risks, as well as overall humanitarian need. Vulnerable returnee households and drought affected communities living in informal settlements lack basic services that exposes them to protection risks. The need to assist such households has been exacerbated by the worsening security situation, forced return, economic shocks due to recent conflict, and the increased severity of natural disasters. Considering the high cost of shelter repairs, and the already negative net income of households, reconstruction and recovery process comes at a high cost that may not be affordable for most people. These challenges are exacerbated by the limited involvement of female humanitarian works.