Highlights
- 905 undocumented Afghans returned from Pakistan
- 10,248 undocumented Afghans returned from Iran
- 82,191 total returns from Pakistan since 1 January 2017
- 225,332 total returns from Iran since 1 January 2017
- 95% of returnees from Pakistan (862 individuals) assisted
- 4% of returnees from Iran (415 individuals) assisted
Situation Overview
IOM is responding to a substantial increase in the return of undocumented Afghans from Pakistan and Iran. Since 01 January 2017, over 307,000 undocumented Afghans have returned due to diverse push factors, including deteriorating protection space in Pakistan and Iran. 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 anytime. IOM estimates that approximately 500,000 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.
