World Habitat Day; Millions of People Still Face Homelessness
October 5, 2026
October 5 is World Habitat Day. This day is observed at a time when millions of people around the world are facing a lack of suitable, safe, and affordable housing.
A major part of this problem is caused by wars, insecurity, poverty, and forced displacement. In many war-affected countries around the world, millions of people have lost their homes and are facing serious problems of displacement, migration, and homelessness.
Afghanistan is also one of the countries where millions of people have lost their homes because of long years of war and insecurity. Millions of Afghans are now facing problems finding suitable, safe, and affordable housing in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and other countries around the world.
The housing problem is not limited to war-affected countries. Even in developed countries such as Canada and the United States, some immigrants and low-income families face serious difficulties finding suitable and affordable homes. New immigrants, in particular, face additional economic pressure because of high rents, a shortage of homes, and difficulties finding work.
A home is not only a building or a place to sleep at night; a home is the first place for a person’s life, growth, security, and human dignity. A child in a safe home has the opportunity to learn and grow in a healthy way. Families feel stability and security there, and people can build their social and economic lives from there. The lack of suitable housing can lead to poverty, mental stress, health problems, delays in children’s education, and other social problems.
Therefore, the right to housing should be considered one of the basic needs of human dignity and a healthy life. No person should be deprived of a safe and suitable home simply because of economic hardship, migration, displacement, or being a victim of war.
The Afghan International Human Rights Organization calls on the international community and all countries of the world to pay serious attention to the housing problems of homeless people, displaced people, immigrants, and low-income families, and to create practical and long-term programs to provide affordable, safe, and suitable homes.
The organization calls on governments not to rely only on short-term assistance to prevent homelessness. Instead, they should develop long-term plans for building affordable homes, supporting immigrants and poor families, expanding social housing, and providing essential basic services.
The organization also calls on Canada, the United States, and other host countries to pay special attention to the housing problems of new immigrants, especially immigrants from war-affected countries, so that they can begin their new lives in safety, stability, and human dignity.
The Afghan International Human Rights Organization believes that homelessness is not a problem of one country or one society; it is a global human rights issue that requires joint and lasting action.
Suitable and safe housing is not a privilege; it is one of the basic needs for human dignity, security, healthy development, and a stable life.