The IFRC has called for immediate international aid to assist Afghanistan, as over 800,000 migrants, primarily from Iran, return this year.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has called for increased global support in response to the rising deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran. Since January this year, over 800,000 Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan through the Islam Qala border crossing. In June alone, more than 137,000 people arrived, many of them exhausted and lacking sufficient food, water, or shelter.
The IFRC has expressed urgent concern about the intensifying situation, as these migrants arrive in a country already facing significant challenges, including decades of conflict, economic hardship, and natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. As the temperatures soar, families at the border endure extreme heat, with some days reaching above 40°C. Many migrants only have the few belongings they can carry, and children show visible signs of malnutrition. Mothers appear fatigued and anxious, highlighting the desperate need for assistance.
In addition to the returnees from Iran, more than one million migrants have also returned from Pakistan since late 2023. This mass return of migrants is placing further strain on Afghanistan’s already overwhelmed local systems and humanitarian services, which are struggling to meet the needs of both new arrivals and existing vulnerable populations.
Alexander Matheou, IFRC’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, recently visited the Islam Qala border and emphasized that the crisis has not received the attention it deserves. He stated, “These individuals are not just statistics; they are mothers, fathers, children, and families returning to a country facing significant challenges. It is crucial that we treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve and support them in rebuilding their lives.”
The decision to return for many of these migrants, who have lived for decades in Iran or Pakistan, has been influenced by evolving legal frameworks, worsening economic conditions, and increasing regional tensions. These migrants are now arriving in Afghanistan, a country that continues to face considerable crises, further complicating efforts to provide basic services and support.
The situation at the Afghanistan-Iran border is increasingly dire, with families facing extreme conditions. The IFRC’s call for immediate international assistance highlights the urgent need for a coordinated global response. The overwhelming numbers of returnees underscore the critical role that humanitarian aid plays in easing the suffering of these vulnerable populations.
To mitigate the ongoing crisis, international collaboration is essential. Both the local administration and humanitarian organizations must work together to ensure the safe reintegration of returnees. Increased support and coordinated efforts are necessary to provide adequate care, ensuring the dignity and well-being of those who are most vulnerable in Afghanistan.
IFRC calls for immediate aid to support Afghanistan’s migrant influx from Iran
The increase in returnees has raised concerns among the United Nations and human rights organizations, who have called for a halt to forced deportations.
‘From the beginning of this year to the end of June 2025, more than 714,000 Afghan migrants have returned from Iran, 70% of whom were forcibly deported.
The increase in returnees has raised concerns among the United Nations and human rights organizations, who have called for a halt to forced deportations.
Sadeq, a 36-year-old man who had lived in Iran for about 30 years, was deported from that country, and his life suddenly changed.
The hopeless looks of Sadeq’s family reflect the hardship of recent days. His story, like many other returnees, is not much different. “Having legal documents” did not prevent his forced return.
Sadeq, deported from Iran, said: “We had residency, had obtained smart cards. They gave me fifteen days and said you must leave Iran. We left Iran. We were deported and came to Afghanistan. Our house money remained there.”
Abdulmalek, deported from Iran, said: “The insult that Afghans face in Iran doesn’t happen in any other country. In Germany or other countries, if you live more than four years or if a child is born there, they become a resident and citizen. But I, who was in Iran for thirty years, have no documents to prove my work, not even a SIM card in my name.”
The International Organization for Migration has reported that from the beginning of this year to June 29, 2025, more than 714,572 Afghan migrants have returned from Iran. Of this number, 99% were undocumented and 70% were forcibly deported.
A part of the IOM report added: “In total, IOM has recorded 714,572 Afghan migrants who returned from Iran between 1 January and 29 June 2025. Of these, 99 per cent were undocumented and 70 per cent were forcibly returned. A growing concern is the rise in families being deported, marking a shift from previous months when most returnees were single young men.”
According to the IOM report, over 256,000 people entered the country in June alone.
Statistics from the UN Women’s division also show that in the past 21 months, 48% of women and girls returned from Pakistan, and in the last 24 days, 30% of women and girls returned from Iran to Afghanistan.
Mohammad Khan Mohammadzai, a migrant rights activist, said: “The international organizations and the United Nations must take practical action in this regard, otherwise if fundamental measures are not taken, the wave of returning migrants will cause a humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan.”
The UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, quoting the UNHCR, has warned that with the increase in migrant returns, the situation in Afghanistan is becoming increasingly unstable and unbearable.
“UNHCR warns that as the numbers of Afghans returning rise, the situation is becoming increasingly unsustainable. We continue to stress that the returns of refugees must be safe and must be voluntary and it must be dignified,” Stéphane Dujarric, the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, said.
The increase in forced deportations of migrants has triggered widespread reactions. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called on host countries to immediately stop this process.
Zaman Soltani, regional researcher at Amnesty International, said: “We have been urging Pakistan and Iran to immediately stop and halt all forced deportation of Afghan refugees. More than half of the country’s population are in need of humanitarian assistance. Women and girls, nearly half of the populations are denied from their most basic and fundamental rights. Those critical of the Taliban, including members of the former government, can and could face arbitrary arrest.”
Fereshta Abbasi, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, also said: “Human Rights Watch is deeply concerned about the deportations of Afghan refugees from Pakistan. These individuals are being deported back to a country that is suffering one of the worst humanitarian and human rights crisis in the world. More than half of the Afghanistan’s population will face food insecurity by the end of this year.”
Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate has also repeatedly called for preventing the forced deportation of Afghan migrants from host countries since the start of the expulsion process.
Forced Deportation of Afghan Migrants and Warning of Humanitarian Crisis
Kabulov further said that although the security situation in Afghanistan remains tense, it is “much better than under Western occupation.”
Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special presidential envoy for Afghanistan, has called the Islamic Emirate government in Kabul an “Objective partner”in the fight against terrorism and stressed that Russia must support them, including with weapons, to help eliminate the remaining terrorist threats in Afghanistan.
Speaking on the sidelines of the UN-sponsored working group meetings on counter-narcotics and private sector development in Doha, Qatar, Kabulov said: “In this particular case, they [the Taliban authorities] are our objective allies, whom we must support in order to arm them in every sense of the word, so that they successfully suppress all these smallest hotbeds of international terrorism.”
He explained that terrorist groups in Afghanistan had taken root during the NATO presence and that the “Taliban” had already been fighting them back then. “So, this reproach and criticism is not addressed to the Afghan authorities,” Kabulov said.
Kabulov also announced that the Islamic Emirate will participate as a full member in the upcoming Moscow Format meeting, expected to be held in September or October of this year. He said he and Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov have been coordinating with like-minded regional partners on this issue.
In a separate statement to TASS, Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov defended the “Taliban” government, saying that it should not be judged for actions it didn’t take while it was in opposition. He recalled that “even while in opposition during the civil war with the occupation contingent, the Taliban had to fight one more than one front.’
“The Taliban is fighting the Islamic State uncompromisingly and harshly,” Zhirnov emphasized.
Kabulov further said that although the security situation in Afghanistan remains tense, it is “much better than under Western occupation.” He added that the Afghan authorities are doing their best despite facing harsh economic and financial sanctions imposed by Western countries.
He also urged the United States to release nearly $10 billion in frozen Afghan assets and called on Europe to return $2.5 billion that had been deposited in a Swiss bank for humanitarian aid purposes.
“We drew attention to the fact that Afghan problems cannot be solved by meetings, conferences and so on. Afghans need concrete assistance, not promises and analysis of existing problems,” Kabulov said.
He emphasized that Russia’s support is based on honesty and practical action. Referring to the recent business forum held in Kazan in May, he noted that Russian and Afghan delegations discussed concrete, workable projects—not vague promises or empty rhetoric.
Kabulov also confirmed that the new Afghan ambassador recognized by Russia is expected to arrive in Moscow today (Tuesday, July 1).
Kabulov: Russia Should Arm the Taliban Against ISIS
Political analysts say that CSTO member states view their own national stability and interests as directly tied to the situation in Afghanistan.
Foreign ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Afghanistan in its pursuit of peace and stability, according to a joint statement.
The organization, in a released communiqué, said it is ready to cooperate and engage in international efforts for Afghanistan’s development in coordination with the United Nations, and urged the global community to increase humanitarian aid to the Afghan people.
Part of the statement reads: “We reaffirm our intention to support Afghanistan in becoming a peaceful and stable country, and our readiness to take part in international efforts for its development under the central coordinating role of the United Nations.”
“We call on the international community to increase humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people,” it added.
Shamsur Rahman Ahmadzai, an economic analyst, said: “They help all countries of the world in any situation. We too can use these funds or aid from different UN agencies for economic growth.”
Political analysts say that CSTO member states view their own national stability and interests as directly tied to the situation in Afghanistan.
Sayed Ebadullah Sadeq, a political analyst, said: “CSTO countries have an important role in Afghanistan’s peace and security, and they must fulfill it properly. Given Afghanistan’s central location, these countries, along with China, India, Pakistan, and Iran can strengthen their economic, political, trade, and transit ties through coordination with Afghanistan.”
Fazal Rahman Oria, another political analyst, said: “If Afghanistan enjoys lasting peace and stability, development will follow, and this will also help bring progress and stability to Central Asian countries.”
Meanwhile, on June 19 of this year, the President of Kyrgyzstan had also stressed the importance of close and continuous monitoring of the situation in Afghanistan during a meeting of CSTO Security Council Secretaries, describing it as key to ensuring regional peace and security.
The Islamic Emirate has also consistently stated its commitment to maintaining lasting stability in the country.
CSTO States Pledge Support for Peace and Stability in Afghanistan
The talks addressed key issues such as alternative livelihoods, treatment for drug addiction, and development of the private sector and banking systems.
As Afghanistan navigates ongoing economic and social challenges, Doha has hosted a two-day series of technical working group meetings focused on fostering international cooperation and sustainable recovery. The meetings, initiated by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), brought together representatives of the de facto authorities, various countries, and international organizations, concluding today in Qatar.
The sessions were part of a broader UN-led effort to establish a more coherent, coordinated, and structured engagement with Afghanistan’s authorities, following the recommendations of the Independent Assessment submitted to the UN Security Council. The agenda focused on two priority areas: supporting the private sector and combating narcotics.
UNAMA described the meetings as a platform to review progress made so far and to outline actionable steps for the future.
Gul Mohammad Din Mohammadi, a political analyst, said: “Representatives from various ministries of the Islamic Emirate participated in the Doha meetings. The discussions covered several areas, including counter-narcotics, health, and poverty reduction. We hope the Doha meetings lead to sustained support for Afghanistan.”
Delegations from the Ministries of Economy, Commerce, Public Health, Agriculture, Interior, Foreign Affairs, and the Central Bank also attended the two-day sessions in Doha to present practical solutions.
The talks addressed key issues such as alternative livelihoods, treatment for drug addiction, and development of the private sector and banking systems.
Zia Ahmad Takal, Head of Public Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “This delegation is engaging with representatives of various countries and international organizations to explore potential cooperation in drug prevention and control, alternative livelihoods, addiction treatment, and development of the private and banking sectors.”
Khan Jan Alokozai, a member of the board of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said: “Afghanistan’s private sector, including the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, is striving to work with the UN, the international community, and Qatar to implement economic plans and objectives for the benefit of the Afghan people. These efforts are being executed through UNAMA and UNDP. We are also working to be actively involved in this process.”
An informal session was also held on the sidelines, where special envoys and ambassadors from Pakistan, China, and Russia discussed Afghanistan’s situation and reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening regional cooperation.
UN-Led Doha Talks Focus on Afghan Economy and Drug Control
“We see families arriving with barely anything — often just the clothes on their backs,” said Najib Ghiasi.
He’s on the staff of the Afghan charity Aseel, and he’s speaking about Afghan refugees in Pakistan who lived there for years, even decades — and are now being removed from their homes by police and sent back to the border.
Ghiasi told NPR that a refugee named Mausera spoke to one of his colleagues at Aseel and shared video of the interview. She told Aseel that interviewer that she had lived with her two grandchildren and worked as a cleaner in Pakistan to support them and that – her son had been was killed years ago and her husband abandoned her long before.
Deportations are occurring from Iran as well. The two countries had been home to 3.5 million Afghan refugees. There have been waves of returnees over the last few years, said Sherine Ibrahim, the Afghanistan country director for the International Rescue Committee. But this year, Iran and Pakistan have stepped up the deportations.
A U.N. report released on Thursday says that 71,000 Afghan refugees from the two countries were deported just from June 1 to June 15, adding to millions who have been deported or left since 2023. Ghiasi says he and his colleagues spent much of early June at the Torkham crossing and counted some 5,000 families arriving every day.
This past week has also seen the largest number of returnees in a single day — 30,607, according to Ibrahim.
In videos shared by Aseel, the border crossing is a sea of humanity: Men, women and children packed into trucks, vans and small cars. Some of the women were clutching newborn babies. People sat atop piles of meager belongings, some of which are bundled in bedsheets.
Ghiasi said the forced deportations are hardest on children, who “understand that something terrible is happening, but they don’t fully grasp why they are being removed from the only homes they’ve ever known.” And perhaps the only homes their parents have ever known, he said. “Most of the deportees have lived in Pakistan for over three decades. A large majority of them have nowhere to go and no place to call home upon return.”
The reasons for the waves of deportations aren’t fully clear. Representatives of the two country governments did not respond to an NPR request for comments.
One explanation is that the governments want to remove those immigrants who do not have proper documentation.
On June 7, Fatemeh Mohajerani, an Iranian government spokesperson, told local media: “The government differentiates between legal and illegal residents. The decision is that those with valid legal documents will be allowed to stay in accordance with the law, while those without legal documents may leave.”
The deportations reflect a growing anti-immigrant sentiment worldwide, says Teresa Casale, executive director of Mina’s List, a human rights organization working on resettlement and advocacy for Afghan women refugees. And the U.S. crackdown on immigrants under Trump makes it more difficult if not impossible for Afghan refugees in other countries to resettle in the United States.
And the Afghan refugees in Pakistan have no real rights to protect them. “It’s so unfortunate that Pakistan is not a signatory to any kind of international refugee protocols or conventions, so obtaining legal status for refugees there is virtually impossible,” Casale added.
“In the worst-case scenario, more than three million people could be forced to return to Afghanistan by the end of 2025,” said Jacopo Caridi, country director of Norwegian Refugee Council in Afghanistan.
A bad time to go back
One thing is clear to advocates: The timing couldn’t be worse.
Afghans are returning to a country suffering a humanitarian crisis, which has grown more dire since the Taliban seized power more than three years ago.
“Afghanistan is a humanitarian crisis unto itself,” says Ibrahim of the IRC. “There are 23 million people in need.”
In February and March, other major aid donors, including the U.K., also announced they were curtailing their foreign aid budgets, forcing charities to curtail their activities in Afghanistan, which is among the world’s most reliant countries on international donors. This year, foreign donors have only pledged 20% of what humanitarian groups say they need to offer basic services to Afghanistan, according to Caridi.
Then in early April, all U.S. humanitarian aid to Afghanistan was eliminated. The canceled contracts totaled $280 million with the World Food Programme, $24 million with the United Nations Population Fund and $257 million with other nongovernmental organizations.
What returnees face
Needs will not be met, says Ibrahim: “The surge of numbers means that very few people are going to be getting the immediate support that they need.”
Many of the returnees are women on their own. She says: “I’ve met women who’ve said to me, I’ve been separated from my family. I have nowhere to go. I can’t walk around Afghanistan or travel to a community of origin because I don’t have a mahram, which is the male companion — a blood relative who is a male.”
As families return to Afghanistan, aid workers say they expect to see a rise in child labor. Many of the deported families are headed by women — the Taliban does not allow them to work in most professions so “families rely on children to earn a living,” said Safi Nurzai, who also works at the Afghan aid group As
Ruchi Kumar is a journalist who reports on conflict, politics, development and culture in India and Afghanistan.
Hard to imagine a worse time to deport Afghan refugees, human rights advocates say
Pakistan is reviewing the extension of the Afghan migrant deportation deadline, providing more time for migrants to manage personal affairs before return.
Pakistani officials have announced that the government is considering extending the deadline for the forced return of 1.4 million Afghan migrants who are legally residing in Pakistan. This decision comes as the June 30 deadline approaches, and the extension is aimed at providing more time for individuals to manage personal affairs, such as selling property and ending business activities before their orderly return to Afghanistan.
The proposal was prepared last week and presented to the cabinet for approval. A final decision on the matter is expected to be made during the upcoming cabinet meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday. This extension is seen as a way to ensure a more organized and smoother return process for the migrants.
According to reports, approximately 1.4 million Afghan migrants in Pakistan hold legal registration cards, while 800,000 others have Afghan citizenship cards. An additional one million are considered illegal migrants, and their forced repatriation has drawn widespread criticism.
The mass return of Afghan migrants has sparked intense criticism from international organizations. The United Nations and human rights groups have expressed concerns about the treatment of migrants, particularly the arbitrary arrests and forced expulsions. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that more than 256,000 people returned to Afghanistan from Iran in July alone, adding pressure to Afghanistan’s already fragile systems.
The IOM has raised alarms that Afghanistan lacks the capacity to handle such a large number of returnees, with local systems facing imminent collapse. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has also warned that the extensive returns could destabilize Afghanistan further, as the country’s infrastructure is already under significant strain.
The growing number of returnees, coupled with warnings from international organizations, highlights the need for urgent international support. Afghanistan’s fragile infrastructure may struggle to accommodate these migrants without substantial aid, raising serious humanitarian concerns.
The situation requires coordinated efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan, alongside international intervention, to ensure the safe return of migrants. Without effective diplomatic solutions and aid, both countries face increasing challenges, with potential long-term repercussions for regional stability.
Pakistan reviewing extension of Afghan migrant deportation deadline
In recent days, reports have emerged of two young people committing suicide in the provinces of Nangarhar and Kandahar.
Drug addiction, domestic violence, and unemployment are cited as the primary causes of such incidents.
One of the victims, Abdul Haq, a resident of Chaparhar district in Nangarhar, hanged himself at home a few days ago, leaving behind two orphaned children.
Family members say he suffered from mental illness in addition to drug addiction and had been hospitalized multiple times.
Abdul Haq’s father, Noorurrahman, said: “He was addicted to drugs. When I realized it, he had already left home twice, but I brought him back. I brought him back a third time as well and took him to the hospital where he received treatment. However, after returning home, he left again.”
His brother, Samiullah, said: “Two days had passed since he hanged himself before the neighbors informed us. We went and brought back his body, arranged for his shroud, coffin, and burial.”
According to official statistics, on the 17th of Jawza (solar calendar), a young man named Abdullah Abid in Uruzgan, and on the 7th of Saratan, a young man named Fida Mohammad in Kandahar, committed suicide due to economic and mental pressures.
On the same date in Jawza, in Barmal district of Paktika province, a young man named Allah Noor and his fiancée also committed suicide because they couldn’t afford the dowry.
Some religious scholars consider suicide a forbidden act in Islam, while medical experts highlight psychological treatment as a key method in preventing suicidal behavior.
Abdulrahman, a religious scholar in Nangarhar, said: “The Prophet’s sayings clearly prohibit suicide. Anyone who commits suicide is held accountable in this world and in the hereafter.”
Dr. Amir Pamir, a physician in Nangarhar, said: “Mental illness and sudden psychological pressures lead many young people to take their own lives. The best way to prevent this is to raise awareness among youth and teach them resilience in the face of challenges.”
According to official figures, in 2024, 72 suicide cases have been recorded in Khost province alone.
Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF’s representative in Afghanistan, also stated that 150,000 individuals have returned via the Islam Qala crossing just this month.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported the return of 5,000 unaccompanied children from Iran to Afghanistan through the Islam Qala border.
Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF’s representative in Afghanistan, also stated that 150,000 individuals have returned via the Islam Qala crossing just this month.
He said: “In the month of June only, 150,000 returns have been recorded across the border in Islam Qala. 25% of these are children, many of whom are families, female-headed households, and in a very, very difficult situation. For us as UNICEF, we’ve seen more than 5,000 separated and unaccompanied children, and that comes with all the vulnerability of exploitation, abuse, and the lives that these children could be subjected to. Together with other partners on the ground at the reception center in Islam Qala, we are providing critical vaccination services.”
Poverty and economic hardship, along with other factors, have pushed Afghan children and teenagers to neighboring countries, especially Iran.
In Iran, these children and teenagers are often forced to work to survive, far from their families. Now, among the deportees from Iran, there are children who have crossed back into Afghanistan alone via the Islam Qala border.
Murtaza, one of the deportees from Iran, said: “We studied up to sixth grade here, then stopped and went to Iran. We were deported again. Our hope is that the work and economic situation improves so we can continue our education in our own country.”
Nazeer Ahmad, another deportee, said: “During the five years we spent in Iran, we were harassed a lot. Along the way and in different places, they mistreated us and took extra money from us.”
This comes with only seven days remaining before Iran’s deadline for the departure of Afghan migrants from its territory.
UNICEF Reports Return of 5,000 Unaccompanied Afghan Children from Iran
Following the official ban on poppy cultivation by the interim government, the level of cultivation has significantly decreased.
The third meeting of the Counter-Narcotics Working Group and the second meeting of the Private Sector Working Group were held today (Monday, 30 June) in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
Representatives from the Islamic Emirate, various countries, and international organizations attended the meeting. The goal of these discussions is to find solutions to mitigate the negative impacts of the poppy cultivation ban and to support Afghanistan’s economy.
Political analyst Saleem Paigir stated: “I wish all the decisions made during the third Doha meeting would be implemented; however, the topics addressed today are a promising start for the Afghan people. We can count on the international community and the United Nations to fulfill the commitments they make to the people of Afghanistan.”
Economic analyst Abdul Nasir Reshtia said: “The stronger the private sector becomes, the more employment opportunities it can create. Banking restrictions must also be lifted so that the private sector can engage effectively in international trade. Unfortunately, current restrictions have caused significant challenges.”
Following the official ban on poppy cultivation by the interim government, the level of cultivation has significantly decreased. However, new challenges have emerged, including unemployment, livelihood crises, and the expansion of illegal markets. The United Nations is now using the Doha Working Group process to address these issues.
Military affairs analyst Sadiq Shinwari said: “The decrees of the Islamic Emirate regarding the ban on poppy and narcotics must be strictly enforced. At the same time, international support for helping farmers must be considered.”
The third Doha meeting, which was held a year ago in Qatar, also focused on supporting the private sector and combating narcotics.
In the latest round of the Doha process, representatives from 25 countries, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the United Nations are in attendance.
Global Efforts Pledged in Doha to Support Afghanistan’s Economy
Afghanistan Peace Campaign
