Uzbekistan remains a relatively stable country, ranking 90th on the 2025 Global Terrorism Index. While domestic terrorist activity is low, the country faces potential threats from ISIS-Khorasan, active in neighbouring Afghanistan. The group has targeted Central Asian populations and seeks to expand its influence in the region. Uzbekistan has pioneered successful, community-based shortterm repatriation and reintegration of its citizens from conflict zones in Northeast Syria and Iraq. Between 2019 and 2021, the government conducted five “Mehr” humanitarian operations, successfully repatriating 531 individuals. The comprehensive rehabilitation programme ensured that repatriates spent minimal time in closed facilities and were quickly integrated into families and communities. The mahalla institution played a key role in supporting the adaptation and family reunification of returnees.

Despite these achievements, significant opportunities and gaps remain in ensuring long-term reintegration of women and children, as repatriates today face new challenges and evolving needs. Uzbekistan became a GCERF’s partner country* in summer 2024, with the investment beginning in 2025. Since then, GCERF has supported the establishment of the Country Support Mechanism chaired by the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies, the finalization of an independently commissioned needs assessment and approval for the Country Investment Strategy for 2025-2028.