Connect with us

Latest News

UNHCR: Afghan returnees from Iran better off than those returning from Pakistan

In its Afghanistan Post-Return Monitoring Survey Report, released on Tuesday, UNHCR highlighted stark differences in the living conditions and challenges faced by returnees depending on their country of return.

Published

on

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says Afghan refugees returning from Iran generally have higher levels of education, better food security, and more stable housing compared to those returning from Pakistan.

In its Afghanistan Post-Return Monitoring Survey Report, released on Tuesday, UNHCR highlighted stark differences in the living conditions and challenges faced by returnees depending on their country of return.

According to the report, Afghans returning from Iran often have greater access to education, improved food security, and better housing conditions. In contrast, returnees from Pakistan face severe economic hardship, are more dependent on daily wage labor, and carry heavier debt burdens.

UNHCR noted that returnees from Iran were slightly less likely to hold debt than those returning from Pakistan, while the gap between female-headed households (90 percent) and male-headed households (87 percent) remained relatively small.

The report further found that Afghan returnees from Pakistan—particularly recent arrivals—are more likely to rent accommodation and struggle to meet rental costs. By comparison, many returnees from Iran own homes or have inherited property. Access to safe drinking water and sanitation services was also found to be more limited among those returning from Pakistan.

On Monday alone, 2,827 Afghan migrants were repatriated from Iran and Pakistan, underscoring the continued scale of return movements.

Over the past four decades, Iran has remained one of the world’s largest host countries for refugees and migrants, despite facing significant economic and social pressures. The majority of these refugees are Afghans who fled conflict, insecurity, poverty, and prolonged crises in their homeland.

UNHCR data shows that Iran currently hosts around 773,000 registered Afghan refugees holding Amayesh cards, along with more than 2.7 million Afghans living in refugee-like conditions. With over 3.5 million refugees, Iran ranks as the world’s second-largest refugee-hosting country.

However, field reports and unofficial estimates suggest that as many as seven million Afghans may be residing in Iran, including around four million without legal documentation.

UNHCR has warned that Iran faces mounting challenges as the international community has provided less than one-third of the funding required to meet the humanitarian needs of refugees.

In a press release issued on October 27, UNHCR reported that more than 1.7 million Afghan refugees returned from Iran to Afghanistan during the first nine months of 2025, highlighting the growing pressure on both returnees and host communities.

Latest News

Dozens of Kunar University staff and students wounded in Pakistani rocket attack

The ministry described the strike as an attack on education, knowledge and the country’s future, and urged international organizations not to remain silent over the incident.

Published

on

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Higher Education says a rocket attack allegedly launched from Pakistan struck Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University in Kunar province, injuring dozens of students and lecturers and causing major damage to campus facilities.

In a statement, the ministry said approximately 30 students and academic staff members were wounded in the attack, while several university buildings and infrastructure were extensively damaged.

Higher Education Minister Nida Mohammad Nadim strongly condemned the incident, calling it a “cowardly and brutal act”. He said it violated Islamic values and international principles.

The ministry described the strike as an attack on education, knowledge and the country’s future, and urged international organizations not to remain silent over the incident.

Officials said the minister had ordered that all injured students and staff be transferred immediately to medical centers for treatment.

The ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting educational institutions and maintaining the security of universities and academic centers across Afghanistan.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Pakistan rocket attack on Kunar leaves 4 dead, dozens injured

According to the sources, the attack took place on Monday, leaving at least four people dead and 45 others injured.

Published

on

Local sources in Kunar province have confirmed to Ariana News that several civilians have been killed and wounded following rocket attacks by Pakistani military forces.

According to the sources, the attack took place on Monday, leaving at least four people dead and 45 others injured.

They said the majority of those wounded are women and children. This has raised serious concerns about the humanitarian situation in the area.

Local sources further reported that Pakistani forces once again targeted the Yargul area in the center of Kunar province with rocket fire.

The sources also stated that the Kunar University hostel was among the sites damaged in the attacks.

Continue Reading

Latest News

IEA statement on Saur anniversaries emphasizes unity and system protection

Published

on

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has issued a statement marking the anniversaries of the 7th and 8th of Saur, reflecting on key historical events and reaffirming its current political stance.

In the statement, the Islamic Emirate said that on the 7th of Saur 1357 (April 1978), a military coup carried out by communist elements against the then-government led to conditions that paved the way for a subsequent foreign intervention in Afghanistan.

It stated that the Afghan people, through what it described as a 14-year armed struggle, resisted former Soviet Union presence and eventually achieved what it called victory and independence on the 8th of Saur 1371 (April 1992).

The statement described the 8th of Saur as a historic day of success and a significant national milestone, adding that it should be remembered with gratitude.

However, it also noted that despite the end of that conflict, Afghanistan later faced internal divisions and factional fighting, which it said undermined hopes for the establishment of a pure Islamic system.

Reiterating its current position, the Islamic Emirate said it was established with the aim of ending chaos, promoting unity, and implementing an Islamic governance system. It stated that it considers these objectives achieved at present.

The statement further stressed the importance of safeguarding the current system and called on Afghans to remain united and committed to maintaining stability and strengthening governance structures in the country.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright © 2025 Ariana News. All rights reserved!