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IOM warns of broader humanitarian crisis as over 4 million Afghans return home
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has issued an urgent appeal for international funding and support as Afghanistan grapples with one of the largest return movements in recent history.
Since September 2023, more than 4 million Afghans have returned from neighboring Iran and Pakistan, including over 1.5 million in the first eight months of 2025 alone. The trend is expected to continue, with an additional 1 million Afghans likely to return from Pakistan following Islamabad’s decision not to extend the stay of Afghan nationals—even those with legal documentation such as Proof of Registration (PoR) cards.
The IOM warns that the sheer scale of returns is placing immense strain on border infrastructure and communities already struggling with limited resources. Without immediate funding, existing support systems risk collapsing, endangering millions of lives.
“I spoke with families arriving at the border with Iran who were completely exhausted, many with small children and nowhere to go,” said Mohammed Abdiker, IOM’s Chief of Staff, who was visiting Afghanistan this week. “As lead of the Border Consortium, IOM is doing everything it can, but right now we can only assist one in ten people who need help. That is a situation no one should face. Afghanistan must not be forgotten.”
The situation has worsened significantly since April 2025, when Pakistan set a deadline for undocumented Afghans to leave or face deportation. Meanwhile, a parallel wave of returns from Iran began and continues. IOM reports that most of the returnees are undocumented, making reintegration into Afghan society even more difficult due to lack of access to identification, services, and formal assistance.
Abdiker also highlighted the mounting pressure on host communities inside Afghanistan.
“Many of these areas already lack basic services and economic opportunities. Without investment, returnees will struggle to reintegrate, and this often leads to further movement. Breaking this vicious cycle requires sustained support,” he said.
Afghanistan is already facing a host of overlapping crises—including the aftermath of four years of drought and ongoing climate shocks—that have driven internal displacement and deepened humanitarian needs, especially with winter approaching.
The IOM reiterated its call for returns to be safe, voluntary, and dignified, warning that without coordinated regional and international action, the current situation could spiral into a broader humanitarian disaster with far-reaching consequences.
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Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan boost trade and digital finance ties
Minister Sydykov, in turn, pledged the continuation of Kyrgyzstan’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and highlighted his country’s interest in working together on e-governance initiatives.
Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, Abdul Salam Hanafi, has met with a high-level Kyrgyz delegation led by Minister of Economy and Commerce Bakhyt Sydykov to discuss expanding bilateral trade and strengthening cooperation in digital financial services.
During the meeting, Hanafi reaffirmed Afghanistan’s readiness to deepen ties with Kyrgyzstan, stressing the importance of developing electronic administration systems and modern banking channels to facilitate trade and financial transactions between the two countries.
Minister Sydykov, in turn, pledged the continuation of Kyrgyzstan’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and highlighted his country’s interest in working together on e-governance initiatives. He also pointed to potential cooperation in areas such as the printing of securities and the development of electronic payment systems.
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India reaffirms healthcare support to Afghanistan, hands over medicines and vaccines
Indian officials said the support underscores New Delhi’s commitment to helping improve healthcare services and access to life-saving treatment in Afghanistan.
India has reaffirmed its commitment to continued humanitarian assistance and healthcare cooperation with Afghanistan, with a focus on the long-term supply of essential medicines.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda held a productive meeting with Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in the health sector and addressing the medical needs of the Afghan people.
During the meeting, a symbolic handover of cancer medicines and vaccines was carried out, reflecting India’s ongoing support for Afghanistan’s healthcare system. The ministry also announced that a larger consignment of medicines, vaccines, and a 128-slice CT scanner is being dispatched to Afghanistan as part of India’s humanitarian assistance efforts.
Indian officials said the support underscores New Delhi’s commitment to helping improve healthcare services and access to life-saving treatment in Afghanistan.
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Afghan forces target hideout of suspects linked to cross-border attacks on Chinese nationals
Afghan forces target hideout of suspects linked to cross-border attacks on Chinese nationals
Security sources said that special forces of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) have targeted a hideout in Badakhshan province linked to suspects involved in attacks against Chinese nationals in neighboring Tajikistan.
According to the sources, the operation was carried out on Tuesday night in Faizabad city, where several individuals suspected of orchestrating cross-border attacks from Badakhshan’s frontier regions were believed to be present. As a result of the operation, one wanted suspect was arrested alive along with weapons and other military equipment.
The sources added that preliminary investigations and initial confessions by the detainee indicate the planning of the attacks was carried out from outside Afghanistan.
This comes as Tajikistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on November 27 that three Chinese citizens were killed in an attack in Khatlon province.
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