KABUL, Afghanistan — Over 5,000 Afghan refugees were repatriated from neighboring Pakistan and Iran on Friday, according to officials, marking a sustained flow of returns to the country.
Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), cited a report from the High Commission for Addressing Migrants’ Issues on Saturday. The data indicates that 1,063 families, comprising 5,028 individuals, crossed back into Afghanistan on Friday through several major border crossings.
The primary entry points included the Islam Qala crossing in Herat (with Iran), Pul-i-Abresham in Nimroz (with Iran), Spin Boldak in Kandahar and Bahramcha in Helmand (with Pakistan), and the critical Torkham crossing in Nangarhar (with Pakistan).
Logistical and Humanitarian Response
Upon arrival, authorities reported that 1,295 families (6,931 individuals) from earlier return waves were provided with transportation to their home provinces. Additionally, 1,140 families received immediate humanitarian assistance, which typically includes food packages, basic supplies, and temporary shelter.
In an effort to facilitate reintegration and communication, telecommunication companies distributed 937 SIM cards to the returning refugees.
Context of Sustained Returns
This daily figure follows a similar pattern from the previous week. Just last Thursday, nearly 6,000 Afghan migrants were reported to have been forcibly repatriated from Iran and Pakistan. The returns occur amid ongoing pressures in host countries, where millions of Afghans have resided for decades, fleeing successive conflicts and economic hardship.
Pakistan’s government, which hosts an estimated 1.7 million undocumented Afghans, initiated a large-scale deportation campaign last year, citing security concerns and economic pressures. Iran, hosting millions more, has also carried out periodic deportations, often citing similar reasons.
Challenges Ahead
The steady influx presents significant challenges for Afghanistan’s new administration and aid organizations. The country remains in the grips of a severe humanitarian crisis, compounded by economic isolation, the aftermath of decades of war, and recent natural disasters. The absorption of thousands of returnees—many with few resources or prospects—strains already limited services, including housing, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
International aid agencies have repeatedly warned of a worsening situation as winter approaches, urging for increased funding and support for both the returnees and the communities receiving them.
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