Taliban Eviction in Kabul Displaces 6,000 Internally Displaced People, Leaving 800 Families Homeless

On Sunday, Taliban authorities in Kabul, Afghanistan forcibly evicted approximately 6,000 internally displaced people from informal settlements, leaving over 800 vulnerable families homeless. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has called on the Taliban authorities to immediately halt the evictions until suitable long-term relocation solutions are identified.

Neil Turner, NRC's country director in Afghanistan, expressed his dismay at the forced evictions. "I am deeply shocked by Sunday's forced eviction of around 6,000 internally displaced people in the capital. These are some of the most vulnerable communities in Afghanistan," Turner said.

Afghanistan has been struggling with growing humanitarian and socioeconomic crises since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. As of the end of 2023, there were 4.2 million people internally displaced as a result of conflict and violence, and 1.5 million as a consequence of disasters. The recent return of around 600,000 Afghans from Pakistan since September has significantly increased the number of displaced people in the country, putting additional pressure on already strained resources.

The NRC has emphasized the urgent need for the Taliban authorities to act compassionately and uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law. Turner urged the Afghan authorities to stop all further evictions and demolitions of informal settlements until legal safeguards, due process, and the provision of alternative housing are in place.

Why this matters: The forced eviction of internally displaced people in Afghanistan has significant humanitarian implications and highlights the need for authorities to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law. If left unaddressed, this crisis could lead to further displacement, increased poverty, and social unrest.

The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has worsened as a result of repeated evictions of vulnerable displaced communities, forcing affected families into new cycles of displacement. The NRC's call for immediate action highlights the need for a more sustainable and humane approach to addressing the crisis.

To recap, the forced eviction of 6,000 internally displaced people in Kabul by Taliban authorities has left over 800 families homeless, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. The NRC continues to advocate for the protection and support of these vulnerable communities.

Key Takeaways

• Taliban authorities in Kabul forcibly evicted 6,000 internally displaced people from informal settlements.
• Over 800 vulnerable families were left homeless, exacerbating Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis.
• Afghanistan has 4.2 million internally displaced people due to conflict and violence, and 1.5 million due to disasters.
• The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) urges Taliban authorities to halt evictions until suitable relocation solutions are found.
• The crisis could lead to further displacement, poverty, and social unrest if left unaddressed.