WHO warns of rising infectious diseases among deported Afghan migrants, citing poor sanitary conditions and urgent need for expanded medical support.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about the growing spread of infectious diseases and poor sanitary conditions among Afghan migrants deported from neighboring countries. WHO reports a surge in respiratory infections, diarrhea, skin conditions like scabies, and suspected COVID-19 cases among returnees.

On-the-ground assessments at key border points—particularly Islam Qala in Herat Province—show that upper respiratory infections are the most common ailments, followed closely by diarrhea and dehydration, especially among children and the elderly. Suspected cases of scabies and COVID-19 have also been reported.

In response, WHO has launched emergency health screenings and mass vaccination campaigns in collaboration with local health authorities at Islam Qala and Spin Boldak border crossings. These initiatives aim to prevent further outbreaks and provide critical care to vulnerable populations.

In total, nearly 29,000 people have been screened or vaccinated at major border points including Spin Boldak, Torkham, and Islam Qala. WHO mobile health teams are stationed at reception centers and zero-point borders, conducting daily health checks on hundreds of returnees.

In just a short monitoring period, WHO identified more than 840 individuals showing symptoms of infectious disease, all of whom received immediate medical care. The organization emphasized the urgency of increasing medical resources and staff capacity to deal with rising health risks.

As the number of deported Afghan migrants continues to grow, WHO stresses that expanded funding and coordinated efforts are urgently needed to prevent large-scale disease outbreaks and provide adequate care for returnees in crisis.

UN warns that new media restrictions in Afghanistan are fueling widespread fear, tightening control, and significantly increasing self-censorship among journalists.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has expressed serious concern over a new media directive issued by the Taliban. The agency warned that the policy, which requires pre-approval of political programs and guests by the Taliban government, will increase fear and self-censorship among Afghanistan media outlets.

UNAMA’s statement, released on Thursday, July 10, 2025, on X, said the new guidelines formalize previous restrictive actions and further erode press freedom in the country. The move follows a pattern of escalating media censorship since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture has circulated a four-page document titled “Policy for Holding Political Programs (Roundtables) in Afghanistan” to local media. This directive obliges outlets to submit all political content to the ministry before broadcasting. Participants in such programs must receive prior approval and ID cards from the Taliban.

The ministry has further instructed media to criticize Taliban officials only in a “respectful manner” and within what it describes as the framework of Islamic law. Analysts view these instructions as a veiled threat to independent journalism.

Since reclaiming power, the Taliban have dramatically restricted press freedom, silenced dissent, and jailed or intimidated journalists. Their new media policy institutionalizes these crackdowns by placing direct editorial control under government scrutiny.

These developments have contributed to Afghanistan’s plummet in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), where it ranks 175th out of 180 countries with just 17.88 points—a stark drop compared to previous years.

The international community, including media watchdogs and human rights groups, has called on the Taliban to reverse these draconian measures. Without urgent action, Afghanistan risks becoming one of the most repressive environments in the world for free expression and independent journalism.

Tajikistan has given Afghan refugees just 15 days to leave the country, sparking fear among thousands who face forced deportation despite holding legal residency documents.

Tajikistan has reportedly launched a campaign to arrest and forcibly deport Afghan refugees, including many who possess valid residency permits. According to multiple sources, the Tajik government has issued a 15-day ultimatum for Afghan migrants to leave the country, triggering widespread fear and uncertainty among the refugee population.

Afghan refugees have reported that these deportations are taking place without regard for their legal status. Many individuals who hold official residency documents and permits are still being detained and sent back to Afghanistan by force, often without prior notice or legal recourse.

Currently, over 13,000 Afghan nationals reside in Tajikistan. A significant portion of them are awaiting decisions on immigration cases, particularly resettlement opportunities through countries like Canada. Forced deportation at this stage could derail their applications and place them in immediate danger.

This crackdown in Tajikistan mirrors increasing pressures in other neighboring countries. Both Iran and Pakistan have ramped up deportations of Afghan refugees in recent months, expelling thousands each day under increasingly aggressive and punitive measures.

Human rights organizations and refugee advocates have voiced grave concerns about the fate of those forced to return. Numerous reports have documented cases of violence, intimidation, and even extrajudicial killings of returnees in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Former government workers and activists remain especially vulnerable.

Despite these well-documented threats, Tajikistan has joined Iran and Pakistan in pushing forward with mass deportations. Regional governments appear determined to reduce their refugee populations, even at the cost of endangering lives and violating international protection norms.

With few countries offering relocation or asylum options, Afghan refugees in Central and South Asia find themselves in an increasingly desperate situation. Many are now forced to choose between uncertain futures in host countries and the deadly risks of returning to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.