Key points
- Iran and Pakistan enforcing stricter migrant repatriation policies
- UN warns of chaotic, large-scale Afghan refugee returns
- Over 30,000 crossing daily, crisis surpasses UN forecasts
ISLAMABAD: Three million Afghans could return to their homeland this year, a UN refugee official said on Friday, warning that the scale of repatriation is placing immense strain on an already severe humanitarian crisis.
Both Iran and Pakistan have introduced new policies affecting displaced Afghans, with Tehran having already given four million undocumented Afghans until 6 July to leave the country.
“What we are witnessing is the undignified, chaotic and large-scale exodus of Afghans from both nations, creating enormous pressure on a country willing to take them back, yet completely unprepared to do so,” said Arafat Jamal, the UNHCR representative in Afghanistan, during a video press briefing from Kabul, according to Arab News.
UNHCR’s initial projection
“We are particularly concerned about the sheer scale, intensity, and the manner in which these returns are taking place.”
Over 1.6 million Afghans have already returned from Pakistan and Iran this year, with the vast majority coming from Iran, Jamal added. This number has already surpassed the UNHCR’s initial projection of 1.4 million for 2025.
The UN refugee agency now estimates that as many as three million people could return to Afghanistan by the end of the year, Jamal said.
According to the agency, more than 30,000 people per day have crossed the Islam Qala border into Afghanistan, with as many as 50,000 making the crossing on 4 July alone.
Harsh journey
“Many of those returning have been abruptly uprooted and endured a harsh, exhausting, and degrading journey. They arrive tired, disoriented, traumatised, and often in a state of despair,” Jamal said.
The United Nations has implemented emergency measures to bolster water and sanitation facilities designed to accommodate 7,000 to 10,000 people per day, along with vaccination and nutrition services.
Many returnees have reported facing pressure from Iranian authorities, including arrests and forced expulsions.
