Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan: How Could Europe Respond to Growing Displacement?

With Taliban militants now in control of most of Afghanistan, thousands of civilians facing an uncertain future and possible violence have begun to flee their homes and seek refuge both internally and abroad, adding to a huge swell of previously displaced Afghans.

With the safety of millions of Afghans at stake, MPI Europe hosted an important conversation exploring Europe’s possible responses to the situation in Afghanistan and in neighboring countries. What should the priorities be for European countries to address the immediate needs of displaced populations? How can Europe start planning for the longer-term assistance that countries hosting the vast majority of Afghan refugees in the region will need? What are the implications for partnerships with governments in Iran, Pakistan, and elsewhere in the region? And what safe pathways have other countries opened in recent days to evacuate Afghans who have directly worked with European forces and other individuals at risk?

Experts on this webinar also examined how European governments could best prepare to respond to a possible increase in the number of asylum seekers reaching Europe’s borders in the next few months. They also discussed what lessons the migration crisis of 2015-16 can offer for European policymakers so they avoid repeating the same mistakes.