Afghan Volunteers Mobilize to Aid Deportees at Iran Border

Afghan Volunteers Mobilize to Aid Deportees at Iran Border
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At Afghanistan’s Islam Qala border with Iran, local volunteers are stepping in to assist thousands of deported Afghans, AFP reported. Since the start of 2024, over 1.6 million Afghans—including many women and children—have been expelled or forced to return from Iran, which blames them for rising unemployment and crime.

Daily border crossings have reached up to 50,000, overwhelming the region’s limited resources. In response, Afghan citizens, many with limited means, are distributing essentials such as food, hygiene supplies, and infant formula to returnees. Their efforts are supported by donations from Afghans abroad.

Despite the Taliban government’s claims of support—including financial aid and plans to build towns for returnees—many deportees are left in dire conditions, some even sheltering in public parks in Herat. International agencies are assisting with registration but face budget constraints.

Volunteers, some traveling long distances, say they feel a duty to help fellow citizens rebuild their lives. Many returnees report losing stable jobs in Iran and are now struggling to find employment in Afghanistan, where nearly half the population lives below the poverty line. Citizens’ solidarity efforts are being praised as crucial amid limited government and international support.