Aid agencies sound alarm as Afghan returnee numbers from Iran spike

More than 800,000 Afghans have returned from Iran through the Islam Qala border crossing in western Afghanistan since January 2025, with over 137,000 arriving in June alone, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The massive influx is placing mounting pressure on an already fragile humanitarian landscape.

Many of the returnees arrive in dire condition—exhausted, dehydrated, and lacking basic necessities. At Islam Qala, temperatures frequently soar beyond 40°C, and families often arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs.

Children show visible signs of malnutrition, and mothers express deep anxiety about what lies ahead.

“This issue hasn’t received the attention it deserves,” said Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific, during a recent visit to the border. “These individuals are not just statistics—they are families returning to a country that is already burdened by conflict, economic collapse, and natural disasters. They deserve dignity and immediate support.”

The returning population includes many who have lived in Iran—or Pakistan—for years, in some cases decades.

Their decision to leave is driven by worsening economic conditions, tightening legal restrictions on migrants, and increased regional instability.

Since late 2023, over 1 million Afghans have also returned from Pakistan, intensifying the strain on local communities and public services across Afghanistan.

The Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), supported by the IFRC, is spearheading emergency response operations at the Islam Qala crossing.

Volunteers are distributing food and clean water, offering medical services, and operating mobile clinics treating around 500 patients daily—many of whom are pregnant women, children, and the elderly.

Despite these efforts, medical supplies are rapidly dwindling.

“Many mothers we talk to are incredibly fatigued, with their primary focus on the well-being of their children,” said one ARCS nurse. “They’ve endured long journeys under extreme heat, and they’re stepping into uncertainty.”

Once registered, families are transported to Herat City, but challenges continue. Many younger returnees are unfamiliar with life in Afghanistan, while their families struggle to secure housing, income, and access to schools.

Women and girls, in particular, face heightened vulnerabilities in a context where access to education and healthcare remains severely limited.

In June 2025 alone, Afghan Red Crescent volunteers distributed thousands of hot meals daily and provided emergency shelter materials. Still, needs continue to outpace available resources.

“Afghanistan is already under considerable strain,” Matheou stressed. “With the numbers of returning individuals increasing daily—and even more expected soon—this is a crucial time for the global community to act.”

The IFRC is urgently appealing for increased funding and international solidarity to address the escalating crisis. Without expanded support from donors, governments, and humanitarian agencies, the prospects for returning families remain bleak.

“The Afghan Red Crescent Society and its partners are doing everything within their power,” said Matheou. “But the needs are immense. This is not just a border issue—it’s a humanitarian emergency that demands a global response.”