WSTA

Watan Social and Technical Services Association (WSTA), in partnership with UNHCR, successfully distributed winterization assistance to support recently returned families. A total of 981 households received the Muslim Aid USA Winter Assistance, which included Bukhari heaters and 200 kg of firewood per household, helping them stay warm during the harsh winter months.

On 20th July 2025, Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, conducted a high-level mission to the Islam Qala border, Herat Province, Afghanistan. The visit took place amidst a dramatic surge in cross-border movements, with nearly 30,000 Afghans being forcibly returned from the Islamic Republic of Iran daily, a situation posing one of the most acute humanitarian challenges facing the country in recent years.
Mr. Grandi, accompanied by a UNHCR delegation, visited the Islam Qala Zero Point and Encashment Centre to witness firsthand the scale of the returns and the ongoing emergency response. He expressed deep concern over the alarming rate of expulsions and the tremendous strain it is placing on both humanitarian actors and vulnerable returnees. During his field engagement, the High Commissioner emphasized the urgent need to scale up humanitarian support, not only at the border entry points, but also in communities of return, highlighting the complexity of reintegration in areas already burdened by poverty, limited infrastructure, and a fragile social fabric.
A key part of Mr. Grandi’s mission was his meeting with the leadership of Watan’s Social & Technical Services Association (WSTA), a longstanding implementing partner of UNHCR in western Afghanistan. The High Commissioner held discussions with Eng. Mohammad Ishaq Sherzai, Eng. Mukhtar Aria and Dr. Feridoon Ahmadi. He was joined by WSTA’s senior management throughout the field visit, observing the operational realities on the ground.

On July 12. 2025; the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Ms. Roza Otunbayeva, conducted a visit to Afghan refugees in Islam Qala. She was accompanied by Mr. Jamal Arafat, UNHCR Representative for Afghanistan, Mr. Subair Ibrahim, UNHCR Deputy Representative Operations, and Ms. Asel sharsheeva, Head of UNHCR FO Herat.

As part of the mission, the delegation met with the senior management of WSTA and expressed their appreciation for the dedication and efforts of the WSTA Western Region team in providing continuous, 24/7 assistance to refugees at the border.