UN Warns of Afghan Repatriation Crisis as Millions Return

UN Warns of Afghan Repatriation Crisis as Millions Return
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A UN refugee official has warned that up to three million Afghans could return home this year, putting immense strain on Afghanistan’s fragile humanitarian situation, according to a statement from UNHCR published Friday.

Arafat Jamal, the UNHCR representative in Afghanistan, said during a press conference from Kabul that new policies in Iran and Pakistan are driving an “undignified, disorganized and massive exodus” of Afghans back to their homeland, which is unprepared to cope with the influx.

Iran has ordered four million undocumented Afghans to leave by July 6, while Pakistan has tightened measures against Afghan refugees. More than 1.6 million people have already returned so far this year—mostly from Iran—exceeding the UNHCR’s initial 2025 forecast of 1.4 million.

Daily arrivals at the Islam Qala border have surged to over 30,000 people, with 50,000 crossing on July 4 alone. Many returnees report harsh conditions, including arrests and forced expulsions, and arrive exhausted and distressed.

The UN is scrambling to expand water, sanitation, vaccination, and nutrition services but warns the scale of returns is overwhelming. Jamal urged urgent international support to help Afghanistan manage the escalating crisis.