Surge in Afghan migrants returning from Iran sparks unity among locals

In the heart of 2025, a significant humanitarian crisis is unfolding as millions of Afghans are returning from Iran. Projections estimate up to 4.4 million undocumented Afghans may return from Iran by the end of the year, contributing to a total projected return of 5.9 million from both Iran and Pakistan combined.

The surge has been particularly intense between April and July, with over 1.18 million returning, and the trend sharply rising in early July, especially at the Islam Qala border crossing, which accounted for over 70% of arrivals from Iran.

The main causes of this exodus are Iran's new criteria for Afghan migrants to remain legally, regional instability, and the June 2025 Middle East hostilities, which further intensified the outflow. Reports also indicate some Afghans faced forced expulsions and espionage accusations in Iran during this period.

Volunteer and humanitarian efforts are scaling up to address urgent needs. Organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) are working to provide life-saving medical support, vaccinations, and disease prevention at border crossings and in host communities. Save the Children highlighted the distress among vulnerable populations, including around 80,000 children returning in June, with many unaccompanied and forcibly returned. However, aid agencies face challenges as only about 10% of returnees in need are currently reached, constrained by funding shortages and the massive scale of the return.

On the governmental side, the Afghan government and international community acknowledge immense pressure on public services and infrastructure. Pakistan and Iran have reactivated repatriation plans—Pakistan resumed deportations from April 2025, while Iran set a return deadline for undocumented Afghans by July 6, 2025. This coordinated but forced return process adds complexity to managing humanitarian and security challenges inside Afghanistan.

Amidst this crisis, acts of kindness and solidarity are emerging. Rezaei, a 22-year-old volunteer, travels over 100 kilometers from her hometown of Herat to distribute aid at the border. Hosna Salehi, an unemployed woman, volunteers with her parents' charitable organization, Khan-e-Meher, to distribute aid, such as infant formula. Salehi stated, "Our fellow Afghans need our support right now. We have a duty to give what we can, no matter if it is a little or a lot."

Despite personal hardships, Ahmadullah Wassiq, director of Afghanistan's High Commission for Refugees, expressed pride in the show of solidarity by citizens. Wassiq acknowledged that the government cannot solve the problems alone and applauded the efforts of citizens. Salehi believes that if she was able to help volunteer, anyone can.

The situation requires an urgent, coordinated response from the Afghan government, neighbouring countries, and international humanitarian agencies. The influx of Afghans who have often left everything behind and returned to a country mired in poverty poses a significant challenge for Taliban authorities. Meanwhile, returning Afghans, such as Hussein, a 33-year-old father-of-two who spent over 10 years in Iran, express concern about finding work upon returning to Afghanistan.

References:

UNHCR, 2025. Afghanistan: Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Factsheet. [Online] Available at: https://www.unhcr.org/afghanistan-i-displaced-persons-idps-factsheet.html
IRIN News, 2025. Afghanistan: Returning migrants face difficulties as Iran implements new residency criteria. [Online] Available at: https://www.irinnews.org/news/2025/04/28/afghanistan-returning-migrants-face-difficulties-iran-implements-new-residency-criteria
Al Jazeera, 2025. Iran accused of forced expulsions of Afghans amid surge in returns. [Online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/06/15/iran-accused-of-forced-expulsions-of-afghans-amid-surge-in-returns
Reuters, 2025. Iran sets July 6 deadline for undocumented Afghans to leave country. [Online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-sets-july-6-deadline-undocumented-afghans-leave-country-2025-06-29/
The current humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, driven by the return of millions of Afghans from Iran, necessitates an urgent, coordinated response from the Afghan government, neighboring countries, and international humanitarian agencies.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working diligently to provide life-saving medical support, vaccinations, and disease prevention at border crossings and in host communities, especially for the most vulnerable populations.
Save the Children has highlighted the distress among returning children, with many unaccompanied and forcibly returned, and aid agencies are struggling to reach only about 10% of the returnees in need, due to funding shortages and the scale of the return.
Recently, regional instability, new criteria for Afghan migrants to remain legally in Iran, and Middle East hostilities have intensified the outflow of Afghans, leading to Iran setting a return deadline for undocumented Afghans by July 6, 2025.
Despite personal hardships, many Afghans, like Rezaei, Hosna Salehi, and Ahmadullah Wassiq, are stepping up to help their fellow Afghans, offering acts of kindness and solidarity by volunteering to distribute aid and expressing pride in their show of support.
Iran has been accused of forced expulsions of Afghans amidst the surge in returns, adding complexity to managing humanitarian and security challenges within Afghanistan.
The influx of returning Afghans poses challenges for Taliban authorities, as many Afghans, such as Hussein, a 33-year-old father-of-two who spent over 10 years in Iran, express concern about finding work upon their return to Afghanistan.