Italy contributes €3.5 million to aid Afghan returnees

Italy has donated €3.5 million to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support Afghan returnees, particularly those coming back from Iran and Pakistan amid increased deportations.

This funding aims to assist 25,000 returnees over the next 12 months, providing essential reintegration support such as housing, education, and employment opportunities.

The IOM reports that both Iran and Pakistan have intensified deportations of Afghan migrants, leading to a significant rise in returnees expected in 2025.

In 2024, over 1.3 million returnees were registered, with 67% forcibly deported, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to address the challenges faced by displaced Afghans.