More than 40 years after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, nearly 5 million Afghans remain displaced outside of the country by successive waves of conflict. Of these, 90% are hosted by the Islamic Republics of Pakistan and Iran respectively. In addition, over 2 million Afghans are internally displaced today within their own country.

Pending a lasting solution to the Afghan crisis, these two countries who have generously hosted the overwhelming majority for decades need continuing support. Equally, investment and development remain critically needed within Afghanistan to bolster infrastructure and support communities to make safe and voluntary repatriation sustainable and lasting.