KABUL — The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said Monday that 229 Afghan nationals returned home from Pakistan, Iran and other countries between December 15 and December 21.
The report provides detailed insights into the demographics and documentation status of the returnees, underscoring the ongoing flow of Afghan nationals back to their home country.
Of the total, 145 individuals returned through voluntary repatriation programs, while 84 were categorized as other returns. The daily average of returning individuals during the week stood at 33.
UNHCR’s analysis highlighted that 49 percent of returnees were female, and 53 percent were children under the age of 18. Additionally, 36 percent of the households were headed by women, reflecting the significant challenges these families face upon return.
The gender breakdown for the week showed near parity, with 116 males and 113 females returning.
Returnees were classified based on their documentation:
Voluntary Repatriation (VRF): 127 individuals carried Proof of Registration (PoR) or Amaesh cards.
Slip Holders: 68 individuals returned with UNHCR slips.
Undocumented VRF Family Members: 11 individuals returned without formal documentation.
The majority of the returns originated from Pakistan, accounting for 206 individuals, followed by 22 from Iran and one from another country.
UNHCR says that since the start of 2024, 54,443 Afghan nationals have returned home, including 27,339 males and 27,104 females. This brings the total number of returnees since mid-September 2023 to 118,691, according to UNHCR’s cumulative data.
The report underscores the urgent need for reintegration programs to support returning families, particularly those headed by women and those with undocumented status. These findings emphasize the importance of coordinated efforts by humanitarian organizations and the Afghan government to address the economic and social challenges faced by returnees.
