The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Tuesday that it urgently needs $71 million to support Afghan migrants being deported from Iran and Pakistan, warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis as thousands return to Afghanistan under increasingly desperate conditions.
In a new report, UNHCR said that more than 251,000 Afghans returned from Iran and Pakistan in April alone, including over 96,000 who were deported. Many are returning to a country grappling with rising unemployment, widespread poverty, and escalating restrictions on women and minority groups.
“An even deeper humanitarian crisis is looming in Afghanistan as tens of thousands of Afghans are being forced to return from neighboring countries,” the agency said.
UNHCR emphasized that returns must be voluntary, safe, and dignified, urging Iran and Pakistan to respect international principles. It cautioned that coercive returns could destabilize the region and endanger vulnerable groups, including women, human rights activists, and members of ethnic and religious minorities.
The agency acknowledged the significant economic pressures facing host countries but warned that individuals forced back to Afghanistan may face serious protection risks. “This is especially true for Afghan women and girls, who face increasing restrictions on employment, education, and freedom of movement,” the statement said.
According to UNHCR, since 2023, more than 3.4 million Afghans have returned or been deported from Iran and Pakistan, including 1.5 million so far this year. The mass returns have strained the limited resources of Afghanistan’s provinces and raised the risk of further internal displacement.
The report also noted that some displaced Afghans are seeking to leave the region altogether. In 2024, Afghans became the largest group of irregular arrivals from the Asia-Pacific region into Europe, accounting for 41 percent of such movements.
UNHCR said the $71 million appeal would fund critical humanitarian assistance across the region over the next nine months, aiming to meet urgent needs amid growing funding shortfalls.
