How jujube tree planting is helping Afghan returnees and displaced persons put down new roots in Nangarhar
Displaced by climate, sheltered by nature
February 2, 2025

Photo: UNDP Afghanistan
In Afghanistan’s conflict-ravaged Nangarhar province, where poverty, displacement, and the forces of nature converge, an unlikely hero is emerging: the jujube tree. Nestled along the volatile border with Pakistan, the afforestation of jujube trees is becoming a lifeline for the displaced and a key part of a longer-term solution to climate resilience.
A dual crisis: conflict and climate change in Nangarhar
Nangarhar’s proximity to the Pakistan border has made it a strategic focal point for both conflict and migration. Many of the region’s staggering number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees have fled not just violence, but the ravages of climate change. These communities live in dire poverty, with limited access to education, healthcare, and stable employment. Increasingly erratic weather patterns further compound their struggles.
“Every year, the floods come, destroying homes, roads, and crops,” says 45-year-old Abdul Aziz, a resident of the area’s Samar Khail Araban camp. “You never know when everything will be swept away.”
Recognizing the urgent need for a solution, residents as part of a community needs assessment turned to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for help. Their request: build climate resilience infrastructure that could shield them from floods while simultaneously creating sustainable economic opportunities for the future.
The unsung hero: jujube trees

The response was a nature-based solution that seemed almost too simple—but turned out to be remarkably effective. After several rounds of assessments and consultation with the communities, UNDP’s technical team proposed afforesting the area with jujube trees (ziziphus mauritiana), a hardy species known for its drought tolerance and flood resilience.
Jujube trees thrive in arid and semi-arid environments, making them particularly suited for the harsh conditions of Nangarhar. Their deep root systems help stabilize the soil, preventing erosion and reducing the risk of landslides during monsoon season. “When the rains come, these trees absorb the excess water, preventing the floods from sweeping away everything,” explains Abdul Aziz. “We can already see the difference.”
Beyond their environmental benefits, jujube trees offer a key economic opportunity. The fruit is not only nutritious but can be sold in local markets, providing a source of income for households. Additionally, the flowers of the tree attract bees, leading to the production of high-quality honey. “The honey from these trees is especially sweet,” says Hazrat Hussain, a local beekeeper. “It’s in high demand and at higher prices, we won’t have to take our bees to Pakistan anymore.”
The integration of jujube trees into the local landscape, therefore, serves both an environmental and economic purpose, creating a full cycle of opportunity for the community.

Building community resilience through nature-based solutions
Over the past three years, UNDP, with funding of the UN Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan, has overseen the planting of 20,000 jujube trees across 20 hectares of land in Behsood. This large-scale afforestation project has been carried out in close consultation with local communities, ensuring it is both culturally and economically relevant.
A Cash-for-Work (CFW) scheme has provided employment for around 700 households, including for many IDPs, for planting and watering trees. This has given local families much-needed income and a sense of purpose, while contributing to broader environmental goals. A special water harvesting technique, with deeper trenches to retain rainwater, helps raise the water table, which after only one season is already 5 meters higher.
The benefits of the project are already visible. “The short-term goal was to stabilize the soil, manage the water flow, and prevent flooding,” says Shamsullah, a local agricultural officer. “Now, we’re seeing the trees begin to mature, which will have even greater benefits in the long term. These trees will help recharge underground water, improve biodiversity, and provide a source of honey and fruit for the community.”
The afforestation project has had a profound impact on individuals like Mrs. Nasreen, a widow with seven children. “For the past five years, I’ve struggled to support my children after losing my husband in the conflict,” she says, her voice tinged with both weariness and relief. “When I was offered the chance to work on the afforestation project, I felt a glimmer of hope.”
Nasreen used the wages she earned to buy meat for her children for the first time in six months, and to pay off some of her debts. “Now, with the forest growing, I know we’ll be safer from floods,” she says.
Abdul Aziz, too, is hopeful. “Before the trees, we had no protection,” he says. “Now, I can already see the difference. We have a future.”
A model for the future
The project’s success in Nangarhar offers a model for other areas, both in Afghanistan and beyond, where conflict and climate change are intertwined. By combining nature-based solutions with community development, the jujube afforestation project addresses multiple challenges at once: it mitigates climate risks, restores the environment, and creates economic opportunities for marginalized populations.
“This project is a clear example of how nature can be part of the solution,” says Anatoly Balovnev, UNDP’s regional area manager for the eastern region, based in Jalalabad. “It’s about empowering communities to take ownership of their future and build integrated solutions.”
For Afghanistan, where climate change continues to exacerbate an already fragile situation, nature-based solutions like these offer a glimmer of hope. By investing in the environment, the country can build long-term resilience that can help communities recover, thrive, and ultimately become self-sufficient.