KABUL: The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) says more than four million Afghan migrants in Iran have become the “overlooked and forgotten victims” of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, as many lost their jobs in construction and informal sectors following the outbreak of war.
In a recent report, the NRC said Afghans living in Iran are currently struggling to afford food and rent due to declining incomes and rising inflation.
The organization said it has provided emergency cash assistance to thousands of Afghan families in Iran to help them purchase basic necessities and food supplies.
“People have been forced to reduce meals, delay medical treatment, and take on debt, all while coping with the fear of war and displacement,” the report said.
The NRC added that it has received funding from Sweden, Norway, and the European Union for humanitarian assistance, but warned that growing needs among migrant families have stretched available resources. According to the organization, it currently only has sufficient funding to support an additional 1,000 families.
The humanitarian group warned that unless new funding is secured within the next month, its ability to assist will come to an end, leaving vulnerable families without support.
The report comes as uncertainty continues to surround the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, with fears persisting that hostilities between the two sides could resume at any moment.