Highlights
1,987 undocumented Afghans returned from Pakistan
51,751 undocumented Afghans returned from Iran
98,191 total returns from Pakistan since 01 Jan 2017
462,361 total returns from Iran since 01 Jan 2017
87% of returnees from Pakistan (1,737 individuals) assisted
6% of returnees from Iran (2,982 individuals) assisted
732 Unaccompanied Migrant Children (UMC) from Iran among those assisted, 5 from Pakistan
439 Special Cases (SC) from Iran among those assisted, 29 from Pakistan
441 Medical Cases (MC) from Iran among those assisted, 0 from Pakistan
Return from Pakistan
A total of 1,987 undocumented Afghans spontaneously returned or were deported from Pakistan through the Turkham (Nangarhar) and Spin Boldak (Kandahar) border crossings during December 2017, according to the Border Monitoring Team of the Directorate of Refugees and Repatriation (DoRR). Of the total returnees, 1,807 were spontaneous returnees and 179 were deported. This number marks a 42% decrease compared to the previous month (3,436). The total number of undocumented Afghan returnees from Pakistan since 01 January 2017 is now 98,191 IOM provided postarrival assistance to 87% of undocumented Afghan returnees from Pakistan (1,737 individuals), including 1,107 individuals in poor families and 594 individuals in single parent families, 29 individuals as special cases (SC), 5 unaccompanied migrant children (UMC) and 2 Mentally Ill (MI). The assistance provided includes meals, accommodation, basic medical screening, NonFood Items (NFIs), onward transportation cash grants and referral services, as well as support from partners.
Situation Overview
IOM is responding to a substantial increase in the return of undocumented Afghans from Pakistan and Iran. Since 01 January 2017, over 560,552 undocumented Afghans have returned due to diverse push factors, including deteriorating protection space in Pakistan and Iran. This figure represents a significantly lower rate of return than in previous year. 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. 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 continuous to monitor regional developments and the possible impact on projected 2018 return trends.