kabul: According to a new statement released by the United Nations, more than 282,000 Afghan nationals have returned from Pakistan since the beginning of this year. The report highlights that a significant majority of those returning are women and children.
The UN notes that many of these returnees were born and raised in Pakistan and have never been to Afghanistan before. As a result, they are now grappling with an uncertain future in what is technically their homeland but, in reality, a foreign and unfamiliar environment.
In parallel, over 605,000 Afghans have returned from Iran during the past six months, according to UN figures.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) states that the acceleration in deportations from Iran began following the recent escalation in tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Data shows that nearly 80% of Afghan returnees from Iran had originally left in search of better economic opportunities, whereas most of those returning from Pakistan were either forcibly deported or left voluntarily under pressure due to growing violence, harassment, and fear of persecution.
The UN further emphasizes that returnees from both countries are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, particularly shelter. However, it stresses that the support provided by the Taliban administration and affiliated agencies falls far short of meeting their basic needs.
The situation continues to evolve, as international agencies warn of a looming humanitarian crisis if comprehensive reintegration plans and sustained support are not urgently put in place.
