The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has called for urgent international assistance as the number of Afghans returning from Iran this year surpasses 800,000, placing overwhelming strain on humanitarian resources and local communities.
According to IFRC, more than 137,000 people crossed back into Afghanistan via the Islam Qala border in June alone, many of them arriving exhausted, dehydrated and lacking basic necessities. The ongoing surge comes amid extreme summer heat and an already dire humanitarian landscape marked by widespread poverty, ongoing conflict recovery, and natural disasters.
“This issue hasn’t received the attention it deserves,” said Alexander Matheou, IFRC’s regional director for Asia Pacific, following a visit to the border over the weekend. “These individuals are not just statistics. They are mothers, fathers, and children returning to a country already facing enormous challenges.”
The returnees, many of whom have lived in Iran or Pakistan for years—sometimes decades—are now arriving in an Afghanistan ill-equipped to absorb them. In addition to the influx from Iran, more than one million people have returned from Pakistan since late 2023, further straining essential services and aid delivery.
At the border, mobile clinics treat at least 500 patients daily, including pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Medical supplies remain scarce, and severe cases are referred to nearby hospitals already stretched to capacity.
With daytime temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F), families endure harsh conditions with little protection. Children show signs of malnutrition, while many mothers appear visibly distressed. Most arrive with only what they could carry and no clear path forward.
After initial registration, returnees are transported to Herat City. But challenges remain steep, particularly for younger Afghans returning to a homeland they barely know. Families face immediate needs for shelter, jobs, and education — all amid a struggling economy and limited state capacity.
“This is a crucial moment,” said Matheou. “As hundreds of thousands return with almost nothing, governments, donors and humanitarian organizations must act. The Afghan Red Crescent and its partners are doing all they can, but the scale of need is immense.”
The IFRC has appealed for increased funding, essential supplies, and long-term support to help returning families rebuild their lives. Without a sustained international response, aid agencies warn, the situation may deteriorate further, deepening humanitarian risks and regional instability.
This comes as IOM reported that a record 256,000 Afghan migrants have returned from Iran in June.
