Afghanistan Peace CampaignAccording to them, all their belongings remain in Iran, and they have returned to the country empty-handed.
A number of Afghan migrants recently deported from Iran have expressed concerns over extreme poverty and severe economic challenges.
Abdul Ahad, one of these migrants, was deported from Iran along with his family nearly three months ago. The 66-year-old man, who is the breadwinner of a family of five, says he now lives in a rented house in Herat city and struggles with many hardships.
He added: “I was deported from Iran, and here I have neither a job nor any capital. My life is full of misery. My young children are sick, I am also ill and taking medicine. We are living through very difficult times.”
Many of these deported migrants, who came here hoping to receive assistance, share similar concerns. They say all their possessions are left behind in Iran, and they now face serious difficulties living back in Afghanistan.
Abdullah Mirzai, another deported migrant, says: “Our household items were left in Iran. I ask the government to help us buy the necessary home items or to help us transport our belongings from Iran.”
Sayed Mohammad Hossaini, another deported migrant, says: “Winter and the cold season are approaching, but we have neither heaters nor fuel. We lack basic household items, mattresses, blankets, and food. We really don’t know which problem to talk about first.”
Abdullah Samim, head of one of the aid organizations, says: “The majority of our compatriots who have returned from neighboring countries are needy and deserving of assistance.”
Local officials in Herat also say that many of the deported migrants’ belongings remain in Iran. They assure that the Islamic Emirate is in discussions with the Iranian government to facilitate the return of these assets.
Ahmadullah Muttaqi, head of Information and Culture in Herat, said: “Afghans who had lived in Iran for years, who had businesses, homes, and even industrial factories or mortgaged houses, were arrested and deported from the roadside without any chance to collect their belongings. This is a serious challenge for Afghan migrants in Iran.”
According to statistics from Herat’s local authorities, in the past three months, around 1.12 million Afghan migrants have been deported by the Iranian government and entered Afghanistan through the Islam Qala border.
The belongings and properties of most of these migrants remain in Iran, and they have returned home empty-handed.