From 4-10 September, a total of 7,761 undocumented Afghans spontaneously returned or were deported from Pakistan through Nangarhar and Kandahar Province’s Turkham and Spin Boldak border crossing points according to the Border Monitoring Team of the Directorate of Refugees and Repatriation (DoRR). Out of the total, 7,173 were spontaneous returnees in family groups and 588 were deported individuals. The total number of returnees and deported Undocumented Afghans in the week of 4—10 September (7,761), represents a 29% decrease in comparison with last week. The recent decline in the rate of return is associated with the Eid Al-Adha religious holidays. Undocumented Af-ghans in Pakistan continue to face increased rates of arbitrary arrest, detention, extortion and other forms of harassment. Affected Afghans inability to sell off valuable assets ahead of travel– sometimes in as little as 48 hours- is only magnifying their vulnerability upon arrival.
From 4-10 September, IOM assisted 1,940 (25%) Undocumented Afghans from the total number of returnees through the Turkham cross-ing with post-arrival humanitarian assistance including meals and accommodation at the IOM Transit Center, NFIs for families, special assistance to Persons with Specific Needs (PSNs), a one-month food ration from WFP and family and hygiene kits from UNICEF.