Unsettling expulsions of Afghans from Iran identified by UNHCR, with potential for escalating regional instability highlighted.
In an interview with Tolo News, UNHCR representative for Afghanistan, Arafat Jamal, expressed concern over the recent increase in the deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran. The intensified efforts by the Iranian government have resulted in over 1.3 million Afghans returning to their home country in 2025, according to UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, a figure that is overwhelming the already fragile support systems in Afghanistan.
The large-scale return of Afghan migrants poses several economic challenges. The sudden influx of people strains Afghanistan's ability to integrate them into the workforce, exacerbating unemployment and economic instability. Many Afghan migrants in Iran sent remittances back home, which were crucial for supporting their families and the broader economy. The loss of these remittances could further destabilize household incomes. Additionally, the increased population puts additional pressure on Afghanistan's already strained resources, such as housing, healthcare, and education.
The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is severely affected by these deportations. The returnees often arrive with limited resources and require immediate assistance, increasing the demand for humanitarian aid. This includes food, shelter, and medical care. The existing social services, such as healthcare and education, face significant challenges in accommodating the increased demand due to the large number of returnees. Women and girls, in particular, face additional hardships due to restrictions on their freedom and access to basic rights like education and employment in Afghanistan.
Jamal emphasized that the deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran is not being conducted in a dignified manner. He believes that Iran would like to work together with UNHCR to ensure that people are treated with dignity upon their return. He urged the world not to forget Afghanistan during this critical time, emphasizing the region's importance, where two wars have been fought in the last three months, within Pakistan and India, between Israel and Iran.
The UN agencies and local authorities are making determined efforts to support the returnees, but their efforts are being overwhelmed by the scale of returns. Dujarric stated that a powerful public outpouring of practical support to the returnees has been observed. Discussions with Iran on the humane treatment of Afghan migrants are ongoing.
The concerns about the reduction of foreign aid for deported Afghan migrants from Iran and its consequences on Afghanistan's economy continue to mount. Jamal urged the world not to forget Afghanistan during this critical time, as the region remains important despite ongoing conflicts. The ongoing deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan is causing significant strain on Afghanistan's support systems, amplifying the economic and humanitarian challenges facing the country.
- The UNHCR representative for Afghanistan, Arafat Jamal, urges the world not to forget Afghanistan during this critical time, as the region remains important despite ongoing conflicts, like war-and-conflicts in Pakistan and India, between Israel and Iran.
- The large-scale return of Afghan migrants from Iran exacerbates economic challenges, such as unemployment and economic instability, due to Afghanistan's inability to integrate them into the workforce, as many Afghan migrants in Iran played a key role in sending remittances back home, a crucial source of support for families and the broader economy.
- The increased population of returnees puts additional pressure on Afghanistan's already strained resources, including housing, healthcare, and education, causing significant challenges in accommodating the increased demand, especially for women and girls who face additional hardships due to restrictions on their freedom and access to basic rights like education and employment.
- The ongoing deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan is causing significant strain on Afghanistan's support systems, amplifying the economic and humanitarian challenges facing the country, and necessitating immediate assistance, such as food, shelter, and medical care, as well as ongoing discussions with Iran on the humane treatment of Afghan migrants.
