Afghanistan remains priority despite Russia-Ukraine war, says UN Refugee chief

Kabul (Afghanistan), March 14: The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi led a delegation to Kabul on Monday to review the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and said that despite the Russia-Ukraine war, the Taliban controlled nation remains a priority for the UN refugee agency. "There is not just Ukraine, there are other crises in the world, other situations that need attention and Afghanistan is a priority for us," he stated. According to TOLO News, the UN's refugee agency chief will meet with officials from the Islamic Emirate to discuss the country's humanitarian crisis. He further added that "They agree very much that we must look at what are the solutions for the people who are refugees or displaced." Grandi's visit to Afghanistan comes as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that almost six million Afghans are internally displaced. The report claimed, "Over one-fifth of those individuals (1,327,474 or 23%) were displaced in 2021 as a result of conflict and natural disaster," the report said. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine war: Can China mediate peace between Russia, Ukraine? According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 8,495,365 former internally displaced persons have returned to their homes. As per TOLO News, between 2012 and 2021, 4,519,522 migrants left to other countries while 5,149,245 migrants returned home. The Taliban's swift rise to power in Afghanistan has thrown the country's economy into disarray and triggered a humanitarian crisis. Since seizing power, the group has repressed foreigners and women, compelling them to quit their jobs. In Afghanistan, crimes against protesters and anyone who speaks out against the Taliban-led government have escalated significantly. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine calls for boycott of global firms that stay open in Russia -PTC News