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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.
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.
Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority has announced that 12 people have lost their lives and 11 others have been injured as a result of recent rainfall, snowfall and flooding over the past three days in 11 provinces across the country.
The affected provinces include Kapisa, Parwan, Daikundi, Uruzgan, Kandahar, Helmand, Badghis, Faryab, Badakhshan, Herat, and Farah.
According to the authority, 274 houses were completely destroyed during this period, while another 1,558 homes sustained partial damage.
In addition, eight mosques, 209 kilometers of roads, and several shops were damaged, while around 1,200 animals perished.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, announced that, under the decree of Supreme Leader Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada, a series of new appointments have been made within the Ministry of Interior.
The appointments are as follows:
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Gul Haidar Shafaq, former governor of Jowzjan, appointed as Governor of Bamyan.
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Abdullah Sarhadi, former governor of Bamyan, appointed as Governor of Jowzjan.
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Ahmad Shah Dindoost, former commander of the 205 Al-Badr Army Corps, appointed as Governor of Sar-e Pol.
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Andarzgul Abdullah, former Chief of Staff of the 201 Khalid bin Walid Army Corps, appointed as Deputy Governor of Laghman.
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Ghulam-ur-Rahman Haidari, former head of the Anti-Corruption Department of the General Directorate of Administration, appointed as Deputy Governor of Nangarhar.
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Makhdoom Abdulkhabeer, former commander of the Tulay base in Sar-e Pol, appointed as Police Chief of Samangan.
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Mohammad Ismail Faiz, former head of intelligence in Kunduz, appointed as Police Chief of Laghman.
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Mullah Abdullah, former district governor of Upper Maiwand, Kandahar, appointed as Commissioner of Spin Boldak.
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Sayed Mohammad Waris, former commander of the Kandahar Zone Support Battalion, appointed as District Governor of Upper Maiwand, Kandahar.
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Mullah Ahmadullah Salim, former head of Kandahar’s 8th Security Zone, appointed as Commander of the Kandahar Zone Support Battalion.
Amid rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in Yemen, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has stated that it is closely monitoring recent developments and values the efforts of all relevant parties to achieve national unity, peace, and stability in the country.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on all sides to avoid any actions that could threaten the security and stability of Yemen and the wider region.
The ministry expressed hope that all stakeholders, particularly Yemeni parties, prioritize resolving disputes through dialogue and mutual understanding, in order to prevent further instability.
Recently, Saudi-led coalition forces launched an attack on the port city of Al-Mukalla in southern Yemen. Riyadh claimed the strike targeted a weapons shipment linked to the United Arab Emirates, reportedly intended for separatist groups.
Following the incident, the United Arab Emirates announced its decision to withdraw its forces from Yemen.
12 killed in recent rainfall, snowfall and flooding across Afghanistan
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IEA leader makes new appointments in interior ministry
Afghanistan calls for restraint amid Saudi-UAE tensions in Yemen
Iran to grant long-term residency to Afghan refugees
Afghanistan exports 10 containers of batteries to Saudi Arabia and UAE for first time
Pakistani cleric condemns lifetime immunity for Army Chief as un-Islamic
Islamic Emirate declines to attend Tehran meeting on Afghanistan
Afghanistan signs 30-year deal for marble mining in Daikundi
Sharp drop in exports to Afghanistan drives Pakistan’s trade deficit surge
Tahawol: World events in 2025 reviewed
Saar: Afghanistan’s major humanitarian disaster in 2026 discussed
Tahawol: Concerns over forced return of Afghan refugees
Saar: US President’s warning to Iran discussed
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