Highlights
273 undocumented Afghans returned from Pakistan
1,827 undocumented Afghans returned from Iran
69,466 total returns from Pakistan since 01 January 2017
161,655 total returns from Iran since 01 January 2017
46% of returnees from Pakistan (127 individuals) assisted
7% of returnees from Iran (123 individuals) assisted
Return from Pakistan
A total of 273 undocumented Afghans spontaneously returned or were deported from Pakistan through the Turkham border (Nangarhar province) and Spin Boldak (Kandahar province) border crossings from 25 June –1 July 2017, according to the Border Monitoring Team of the Directorate of Refugees and Repatriation (DoRR). Due to the Eid-ul Fitr holidays marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan last week, there is no Weekly Situation Report for the week of 18— 24 June 2017.
Of the total returnees, 238 were spontaneous returnees in family groups and 35 were deported individuals. This is a 58% decrease from the previous week and marks an anticipated decline for Eid-ul Fitr. The total number of undocumented Afghan returnees from Pakistan since 01 January 2017 is now 69,466.
IOM provided post-arrival assistance to 46% of undocumented Afghan returnees from Pakistan (127 individuals), including 11 single parents. This decline in assistance was caused by the unexpected temporary closure of the IOM transit centre during the past week. The centre will be fully operational again as of July 3, assistance levels are therefore expected to increase again. 18 families received transportation cash grants to reach their final destination, and 18 were given NFI Kits.
Situation Overview
IOM is responding to a substantial increase in the return of undocumented Afghans from Pakistan and Iran. Since 01 January 2017, over 231,000 undocumented Afghans have returned due to diverse push factors, including deteriorating protection space in Pakistan. This figure represents a significantly higher rate of return than in previous years. Most of those returning have lived outside of Afghanistan for decades, and will need support from the government and humanitarian actors both on arrival and as they seek to reintegrate.
As the rate of return is influenced by a number of political, security and other related factors both in Afghanistan and neighboring countries, another surge in returns could occur at any time. IOM estimates that approximately 600,000 undocumented Afghans could return from Pakistan and Iran in 2017, and is working to scale up its support to returnees in coordination with the Government of Afghanistan and other humanitarian partners.