Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), in an exclusive interview with TOLOnews, called for the return of Western diplomats to Afghanistan and the resumption of direct engagement between the international community and Afghan authorities.
Kabul 24: He emphasized that managing the ongoing humanitarian crisis, addressing the needs of displaced persons, and resolving challenges such as girls’ education are only possible through active diplomacy, investment, and direct presence in Kabul and Kandahar.
Highlighting the unprecedented return of nearly six million Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan over the past three years, Egeland described it as one of the largest return processes globally.
Criticizing the lack of global attention to this situation, he urged greater international focus and targeted aid for this vulnerable population. The NRC chief also called on Afghan authorities to allocate more domestic resources to ensure the safe, prepared, and voluntary reintegration of returnees.
Furthermore, Egeland warned of a severe drop in international funding. Humanitarian aid to Afghanistan has plummeted from nearly $3.5 billion in 2022 and 2023 to potentially just around half a billion dollars this year. The complete halt of aid from the United States—previously the largest donor—alongside funding cuts from European nations, has created a massive financial deficit.
However, Egeland suggested that internal revenues from exports, the mining sector, and the domestic business community could partially bridge this gap, asserting that the international community must not abandon Afghan civilians.
Despite financial constraints, the Norwegian Refugee Council continues its humanitarian work. Although NRC staff in Afghanistan has been reduced from nearly 800 to 350, the number of beneficiaries receiving aid remains unchanged.
Egeland concluded with an optimistic outlook for Afghanistan’s future, reinforcing that sustained cooperation between the international community and Afghan authorities is essential to improving the lives of millions.
