According to the UN’s refugee agency, close to 450,000 Afghans have made their way back from Iran since early June. This influx follows an order from Tehran mandating that individuals without proper documentation must exit the country by July 6.
The recent surge occurs as the nation grapples with the challenge of assimilating a significant number of Afghans who have returned amid mounting pressure from traditional migrant and refugee hosts, Pakistan and Iran, since 2023.
The nation is currently grappling with one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally, a situation that has been exacerbated by decades of conflict.
According to the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, over 1.4 million individuals have either voluntarily returned or been compelled to return to Afghanistan this year.
In late May, Iran issued an order for undocumented Afghans to exit the country by July 6, a move that could affect approximately four million individuals among the estimated six million Afghans residing in Iran, according to Tehran’s claims.
According to reports from UN agencies, the number of individuals crossing the border experienced a significant increase starting in mid-June, with specific days witnessing approximately 40,000 crossings per day.
Between June 1 and July 5, a total of 449,218 Afghans returned to Afghanistan from Iran, according to a spokesperson for the International Organisation for Migration, who spoke to AFP on Monday. This brings the cumulative total for the year to 906,326 returnees.
Numerous individuals making the crossing have reported experiencing pressure from authorities, facing the threat of arrest and deportation, and suffering financial losses as they hurriedly sought to leave.
The response to the crisis has been significantly affected by substantial cuts to foreign aid, prompting calls for increased funding from the UN, international non-governmental organisations, and Taliban officials to assist returnees.
The United Nations has issued a warning regarding the potential destabilisation of the country, which is already facing significant challenges such as deep-rooted poverty, high unemployment rates, and the impacts of climate change. The organisation has called on nations to refrain from forcibly returning Afghan individuals.
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, stated Friday, warning that compelling or pressuring Afghans to return could exacerbate instability in the region and lead to increased migration towards Europe.
Officials from the Taliban have consistently urged a “dignified” return for Afghans.
Reports from Iranian media indicate that mass arrests of “illegal” Afghan nationals are taking place across different regions.
On Thursday, Iran’s Deputy Interior Minister, Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian, addressed the situation of Afghan nationals residing illegally in the country, stating that they are regarded as “respected neighbours and brothers in faith”. However, he emphasised that Iran’s “capacities also have limits.”
The ministry’s return process will be implemented gradually, as stated on state television.
A significant number of Afghans have made the journey to Iran in search of employment opportunities, remitting vital financial support to their families back in Afghanistan.
Ahmad Mohammadi, a returnee, expressed his hopes for the future while waiting for assistance at the IOM-run reception centre at the Islam Qala border point in western Herat province. “If I can find a job here that covers our daily expenses, I’ll stay here,” he told AFP on Saturday, as high winds and dust swirled around him.
“However, if that option is unavailable, we will have no choice but to return to Iran, Pakistan, or another nation.”
