Kabul, Afghanistan, May 2026 – The United Nations has launched a new joint project, Weaving Afghanistan’s Hope and Displacement Actions Together (WAHDAT), to respond to the basic human needs of returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and communities in the western provinces of Herat and Farah.

Implemented through a partnership among the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the initiative is partially funded by the multi-donor Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA). The joint project will be implemented from April 2026 to December 2027 with an allocation of USD 14.77 million from STFA, with additional contributions from participating agencies, bringing the total budget to USD 41.84 million. It aims to support reintegration efforts of returnees and address challenges related to the acute and overlapping crises in the Western Region.

“The western region is on the front lines of Afghanistan’s displacement crisis,” said Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan a.i. “The WAHDAT joint project is a coordinated UN effort to bridge immediate relief with long-term recovery. By integrating community infrastructure development with economic empowerment, we are investing directly in the resilience and stability of both returnees and local communities.”

Since January 2025, the western region has seen a surge in Afghans returning from Iran, with over 2 million having arrived to date. This influx has severely strained essential services, inflated rent by up to 300 percent, and has led to unprecedent urban expansion and densification, putting pressure on jobs and employment opportunities. 

Due to current restrictions, women, girls, and women-headed households face particular vulnerabilities. The WAHDAT joint project responds to a multitude of challenges with a localized, area-based approach targeting key districts across Herat and Farah provinces, including Herat City, Injil, Guzara, and Farah Centre. 

“We are grateful for the support for the reintegration of returnees and our communities,” said Ajmal, a community representative from Injil district. “Access to water, skills training, and help with legal documents will give families a real chance to rebuild their lives here.”

Over the course of the project period, WAHDAT will directly support nearly 650,000 people. Guided by community engagement and vulnerability assessments, the interventions will focus on:

• Safe and Dignified Housing: Constructing and repairing houses using climate-resilient approaches with sanitation facilities, prioritizing women-headed households and persons with disabilities.
• Climate-Resilient Community Infrastructure: Constructing and rehabilitating community infrastructure such as roads, WASH infrastructure, canals, irrigation systems, and flood protection walls to combat the severe impacts of climate shocks.
• Economic Empowerment: Providing vocational skills training including earthquake resilient construction methods, supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and creating income-generating activities to boost local livelihoods and food security.
• Protection and Rights: Strengthening Housing, Land and Property (HLP) rights, expanding access to civil documentation through mobile services, and establishing community resource centres and safe spaces to support women’s protection and social cohesion.

A central feature of the project is the meaningful participation of women and marginalized groups in decision-making and economic activities to ensure they are not left behind. 

"Returnees bring valuable skills, experiences, and networks that can contribute significantly to rebuilding the local economy,” added Dr. Tajudeen. “By supporting climate-smart agriculture, skills development, and entrepreneurship, WAHDAT fosters reintegration that enables displaced Afghans and host communities to become drivers of positive change.”

The STFA and implementing agencies are committed to supporting Afghanistan by investing in locally led solutions that foster resilience, social cohesion, and hope amid complex challenges.

About STFA: The Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA) is a pooled, flexible, and transparent financing mechanism that enables UN organizations to ‘Deliver as One.’ By coordinating efforts across agencies, the STFA creates a multiplying effect, ensuring that investments in basic human needs compound to build lasting community resilience.

For more information, please contact:

STFA: immy.mulekatete@undp.org 

UNDP: matthew.duncan@undp.org 

IOM : zunabi@iom.int 

UN-Habitat : Piroz.Amin@un.org 

UNHCR : goodlake@unhcr.org