The return of 6.7 million nationals is placing additional strain on services in Afghanistan, says the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator

6 November 2026

Bruno Lemarquis, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, briefed reporters on a deepening crisis. He said the return of 6.7 million nationals since 2020 puts additional strain on services already stretched. Many were forced out by neighbouring countries that had hosted them, and a large portion came from Pakistan and Iran. Women and girls continue to suffer severe and sweeping restrictions on their freedoms. The restrictions have denied secondary education to over 2.6 million girls, and female university enrollment now stands at zero. Afghan women staffers are also barred from entering United Nations premises anywhere in the country.