According to IRNA, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) has reported that; the unprecedented return of migrants to Afghanistan has increased pressure on humanitarian services and the fragile economic situation in the country.
The IFRC report states that over 3.6 million migrants have returned from Iran alone, with approximately 1.2 million of them being deported for various reasons.
Returnees from Pakistan have mainly entered Afghanistan through the Tor Kham border crossing in Nangarhar province and Spin Boldak in Kandahar province, while some have also used unofficial routes in Helmand and the Angurad gate in Paktika province.
The IFRC has warned that without immediate action to provide shelter, food, and protective support, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan will worsen, and the returns could deepen the existing crisis.
These statistics are released as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Afghanistan has announced that the current situation, particularly during the winter season, has made Afghans more needy of urgent humanitarian assistance.
OCHA added that Afghanistan is facing simultaneous crises of drought, massive return of migrants from Iran and Pakistan, and reduced financial aid. The reduction in international aid has also led to the closure of hundreds of healthcare and nutrition centers, limiting access to vital care for Afghans.
UN humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan, Enrica Rototero, stated that this situation has put immense pressure on vulnerable households and that urgent humanitarian action is needed.
