Thousands Homeless in Kabul as Afghan Authorities Demolish Settlements

Image Credit, NRC

Kabul, Afghanistan – The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is condemning the Afghan authorities’ eviction of thousands of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Kabul on Sunday, June 2nd. The forced demolitions left more than 800 families, roughly 6,000 people, homeless.

“I am appalled by the eviction of these vulnerable communities, some of the most desperate in Afghanistan,” said Neil Turner, NRC’s country director. “Many families had nowhere to go after their homes were destroyed.”

The NRC urges the Afghan government to halt evictions immediately and find appropriate long-term solutions for displaced people. They emphasize the need for legal safeguards, due process, and alternative housing before any further demolitions occur.

Afghanistan faces a worsening humanitarian crisis since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. By the end of 2023, over 5.7 million people were internally displaced due to conflict, violence, and disasters. The recent return of nearly 600,000 Afghans from Pakistan has further strained resources.

“These repeated evictions force already displaced families into new cycles of hardship,” said Turner. The NRC is concerned about the authorities’ disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law, which protects IDPs from forced evictions.

The NRC offers legal aid and other services to IDPs across Afghanistan, including Kabul. This is not the first instance of such evictions. The NRC responded to similar incidents in Kabul (July & June 2023) and Badghis (December 2022). These evictions often leave families struggling to meet basic needs and facing further displacement.