Afghanistan sees a return of 1.7 mln Afghans from Iran and Pakistan in 2025

Since January, more than 1.7 million Afghan citizens have returned from Iran and Pakistan, the United Nations said on Friday, warning of mounting humanitarian pressures.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that many of the returnees have limited connections to local communities and are struggling to access shelter and jobs, while host areas themselves lack sufficient services and resources.

To support the response, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund has released 10 million U.S. dollars, with additional contributions expected from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund. Aid groups are also bracing for further arrivals after Pakistan’s government set a 1 September deadline for Afghan Proof of Registration cardholders to leave.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than half of Afghanistan’s population requires urgent aid, with women and girls facing particularly severe risks.

OCHA stressed that funding gaps remain critical, noting that this year’s Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is only 25% financed, with $624 million secured out of the $2.4 billion required.

Copied