Over 450,000 Afghans departed from Iran since June, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
In recent months, a significant number of Afghans have been returning to their home country from Iran and Pakistan due to a combination of factors, including forced deportations and increasingly hostile environments for Afghan migrants and refugees in these countries. According to reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over 1.2 million Afghans have returned or been forced to return from Iran and Pakistan in 2025 alone, with 99% of returnees from Iran being undocumented.
## Reasons for Mass Returns
The surge in returns can be attributed to several factors. Deportations and crackdowns on undocumented migrants by Iranian and Pakistani authorities have resulted in hundreds of thousands of Afghans being forced to leave both countries in a short period. Many Afghans also face worsening living conditions abroad, including limited access to jobs, shelter, and services, which are compounded by rising xenophobia and restrictive policies. The lack of documentation further exacerbates the vulnerability of these returnees, making them particularly susceptible to sudden expulsion and unable to access essential services in host countries.
## Impact on the Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan
The sudden influx of over 1.2 million returnees in just six months has placed extraordinary strain on Afghanistan’s already fragile humanitarian infrastructure. Returnees often arrive with little to no resources, increasing the risk of poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness. Women and children are especially vulnerable to gender-specific challenges, including reduced access to education and healthcare.
International humanitarian organizations like IOM are warning of a dire funding shortfall, which limits their ability to provide shelter, food, and other essential services to returning populations. The mass returns are worsening Afghanistan’s ongoing crises, including economic collapse, food shortages, and a lack of basic services, further destabilizing the country.
## Urgent Need for Humanitarian Assistance
The situation remains critical, with international agencies emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to mitigate the suffering of returnees and prevent further deterioration of conditions within Afghanistan. Taliban officials have repeatedly called for Afghans to be given a "dignified" return, but the process is likely to be gradual, according to Iran's deputy interior minister Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian.
Ahmad Mohammadi, a returnee who spoke to AFP on Saturday, expressed his concerns about finding a job to cover daily expenses, stating that he would be forced to return to Iran, Pakistan, or another country if not. Many people crossing the border from Iran have reported pressure from authorities, arrest and deportation, and losing already limited finances in the rush to leave.
The table below summarises the key factors contributing to the mass returns and their impacts on both Afghans and Afghanistan:
| Factor | Impact on Afghans | Impact on Afghanistan | |----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | Deportations/Crackdowns | Forced expulsion, loss of homes/jobs | Strain on infrastructure, resources | | Adverse living conditions abroad | Reduced access to services, xenophobia | Increased returnee needs | | Lack of documentation | Vulnerability to deportation, no services | More people needing urgent aid | | Humanitarian funding shortfalls | Limited support for returnees | Deepening humanitarian crisis |
As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial for the international community to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to help alleviate the suffering of returnees and support Afghanistan in navigating this challenging period.
The surge in Afghan returning migrants from Iran and Pakistan, resulting from deportations, hostile environments, and adverse living conditions abroad, has led to a funding shortfall for international organizations like the IOM, exacerbating Afghanistan's ongoing crises. The lack of resources threatens to exacerbate poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness among the returnees, particularly women and children who face gender-specific challenges such as reduced access to education and healthcare. The urgent need for humanitarian assistance is emphasized to alleviate the suffering of returnees and prevent the further deterioration of conditions within Afghanistan. This calls for the international community to act promptly and provide aid to support Afghanistan during this challenging period. The ongoing political landscape, with Taliban officials advocating for a "dignified" return, must also factor into considerations for effective migration and humanitarian policies in the future.
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