Wed Nov 12 06:40:47 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article based on it:

Summary:

A United Nations report reveals a worsening economic crisis in Afghanistan, exacerbated by mass returns of Afghan refugees primarily from Iran and Pakistan, natural disasters, and dwindling international aid. Nine in ten households are struggling to survive, resorting to desperate measures like skipping meals and selling belongings. Basic services are strained, with schools overcrowded and limited access to healthcare. The situation is particularly dire for returning families and those headed by women, who face the highest risks of food insecurity. The UN is urging increased support and the lifting of restrictions on female aid workers to address the crisis effectively.

News Article:

Afghanistan’s Economic Crisis Deepens as Mass Returns Strain Resources, UN Warns

Karachi, Pakistan – A dire economic situation is unfolding in Afghanistan as the country grapples with mass returns of its citizens and dwindling international assistance, according to a United Nations report released Wednesday. The report highlights that a staggering nine out of ten Afghan households are struggling to survive, forced to skip meals, sell possessions, or accumulate debt to meet basic needs.

Since 2023, over 4.5 million Afghans have returned home, primarily from Iran and Pakistan, swelling the population by 10% and straining already limited resources. Natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, and drought, have further compounded the crisis, destroying homes and overwhelming public services.

“The situation is critical,” said a UNDP spokesperson. “Nearly 90% of returning Afghan families are in debt, owing amounts significantly higher than their average monthly income.”

The report paints a grim picture of overcrowded schools, limited access to healthcare, and widespread joblessness, particularly among returning refugees. Participation of women in the workforce has plummeted to a mere 6%, severely impacting families dependent on female breadwinners.

The UN is urging the international community to step up its support and address the declining aid pledges, which only cover a fraction of the needed $3.1 billion. It also calls on the Taliban authorities to allocate more resources and lift restrictions on female aid workers, arguing that their exclusion hampers the delivery of crucial services to those most in need.

“Cutting women out of frontline aid work means cutting off vital services for those who need them most,” warned Kanni Wignaraja, UN assistant secretary-general and UNDP regional director for Asia and the Pacific.

The UN warns that without immediate action, Afghanistan faces a deepening crisis of poverty, exclusion, and displacement, threatening the stability of the region.

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