The United Nations has launched a new joint initiative called Weaving Afghanistan’s Hope and Displacement Actions Together (WAHDAT) to support returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and vulnerable host communities in Afghanistan’s western provinces of Herat and Farah. The project is designed to address urgent humanitarian needs while supporting long-term recovery and community resilience.
The initiative is being implemented through collaboration among International Organization for Migration, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and United Nations Human Settlements Programme. The programme is partially funded through the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan.
The WAHDAT project will run from April 2026 through December 2027. It has received an allocation of approximately $14.77 million from the trust fund, while additional contributions from participating UN agencies bring the total project budget to nearly $41.84 million. The programme aims to strengthen reintegration efforts and address overlapping humanitarian, economic, and environmental challenges affecting Afghanistan’s western region.
According to UN officials, the western provinces have experienced a sharp increase in returning Afghan migrants from Iran since January 2025, with more than two million returnees arriving in the region. This large influx has placed severe pressure on housing, jobs, infrastructure, and essential public services, while rental prices have reportedly increased significantly due to growing urban overcrowding.
The WAHDAT initiative will directly support nearly 650,000 people through a localized and community-based approach focused on key districts including Herat City, Injil, Guzara, and Farah Centre. The programme combines immediate humanitarian assistance with long-term development and economic recovery measures.
A major component of the project involves improving access to safe and dignified housing. The programme plans to construct and repair homes using climate-resilient building methods while also expanding sanitation facilities. Special attention will be given to women-headed households and persons with disabilities.
The initiative will also focus on developing climate-resilient community infrastructure, including roads, water and sanitation systems, irrigation canals, flood protection walls, and other essential facilities. These efforts are intended to help communities better cope with climate-related challenges such as droughts and flooding.
Economic empowerment is another key pillar of the programme. The project will provide vocational skills training, support small and medium enterprises, and create income-generating opportunities aimed at strengthening local livelihoods and food security. Training in earthquake-resilient construction methods will also be included.
The WAHDAT project additionally seeks to strengthen protection services and legal rights for vulnerable communities by improving access to civil documentation, expanding housing and property rights support, and establishing community resource centres and safe spaces for women and marginalized groups.
UN officials emphasized that the initiative prioritizes the meaningful inclusion of women and vulnerable populations in decision-making and economic activities. The programme aims to promote social cohesion and sustainable reintegration while helping displacement-affected communities rebuild their lives and contribute positively to local economic recovery in Afghanistan.
