UNDP-UNHCR: 2.7 Million Returnees Straining Afghanistan's Economy; 74% of Population Can't Meet Basic Needs

A joint UNDP-UNHCR statement said 2.7 million returnees are straining Afghanistan's economy and public services, with 74% of the population — roughly 29 million people — unable to meet basic needs. UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo and UNHCR High Commissioner Barham Salih made a joint visit to Jalalabad to meet earthquake-affected and returnee communities; the agencies project more than 570,000 Afghans will need third-country resettlement in 2026. Separately, KabulNow reported 253 families (1,279 individuals) returned via Torkham, Spin Boldak, Islam Qala, and Bahramcha in the days prior, with UNHCR citing roughly 150,000 Afghans returned from Pakistan and Iran so far in 2026 by one measure — figures that vary across UN reporting depending on whether they cover year-to-date or cumulative since 2023.