IOM Provides Housing Aid to 120 Returnee Families in Herat

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is providing cash assistance to around 120 families who returned from Iran and Pakistan in Injil district of Herat province to help them build shelters.

The Herat Disaster Management Department says 18 million Afghanis will be distributed to 70 families to build shelters and 50 others to repair their damaged homes.

Atal Amir, head of preventive projects at the Herat Disaster Management Department, said: “With winter approaching, families returning from Iran and Pakistan face serious challenges. Fortunately, with the support of IOM, we have been able to provide them with shelter assistance.”

These families were deported from Iran and Pakistan over the past year. They say they have no proper shelter and need more assistance to rebuild their homes.

Abdul Rasoul Haidari, a returnee from Iran, said: “We returned from Iran and have nowhere to live. Floods destroyed our homes, and an earthquake later caused further damage.”

Ali Ahmad Mohammadi, another returnee from Iran, said: “The roofs of our homes collapsed during the earthquake, making them unfit to live in. Winter is approaching, and we need help to rebuild our homes.”

The returnees also called on the Islamic Emirate and international aid organizations to provide job opportunities.

Nematullah, a returnee from Iran, said: “We need job opportunities so we can work. Winter is coming, and we need support to avoid further difficulties.”

Hundreds of thousands of Afghans deported from Iran and Pakistan have settled in Herat over the past year.

Many of these families say they are worried about the coming winter because of poverty and a lack of proper shelter.