Deported Afghans Encounter Growing Humanitarian Crisis Upon Their Return to Afghanistan

A significant humanitarian challenge is currently unfolding in Afghanistan, exacerbated by the return of tens of thousands of Afghan nationals as neighboring countries implement stricter immigration policies. In April alone, over 280,000 individuals were deported or compelled to leave Pakistan and Iran, often arriving back in Afghanistan with limited resources and in dire need of support to reconstruct their lives. These circumstances highlight the precarious and uncertain futures awaiting many returnees.

Ezatullah, a 45-year-old Afghan, has recently crossed the Torkham border with his wife and seven children after being urged to leave Pakistan. With a lifetime spent working as a laborer in Rawalpindi, he now faces the formidable task of providing for his family in a homeland that is foreign to him, where soaring unemployment and increased poverty levels pose significant challenges. Currently, approximately half of Afghanistan’s population depends on humanitarian assistance for survival, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

Pakistan and Iran have historically offered refuge to a large number of Afghanistan’s 5.25 million refugees and asylum seekers. However, recent economic downturns in both countries have led to a rise in negative sentiment towards Afghan communities, complicating their living conditions and opportunities.

The risks facing returnees in Afghanistan are substantial, particularly for women and girls, who encounter heightened restrictions on employment, educational opportunities, and personal freedom. Ethnic and religious minorities, as well as journalists and human rights advocates, also face increased dangers when they return.

This challenging environment is further aggravated by Afghanistan’s urgent humanitarian needs, a lack of job availability, and decreasing international aid. In response, the United Nations has initiated a comprehensive plan to support returning Afghans. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has identified an immediate funding requirement of nearly million to provide essential services, including emergency cash assistance, food, temporary housing, and specialized support for vulnerable groups such as female-headed households, individuals with disabilities, and children.

Furthermore, the agency emphasizes mental health support and assistance for survivors of gender-based violence, underlining a commitment to addressing the multifaceted needs of the affected population. Arafat Jamal, the UNHCR’s representative in Afghanistan, has articulated the urgent need for increased international solidarity, stating that the lives of millions of Afghans depend on timely and coordinated humanitarian interventions in these challenging times.

As global attention turns toward this critical humanitarian crisis, the need for comprehensive support and proactive engagement from the international community becomes more imperative than ever.

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