WHO Reports on Health Challenges Facing Returning Afghan Migrants Amid Rising Needs
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new details on the health status of Afghan returnees between September 16 and 30, 2025. According to the report, over 73,000 Afghan migrants returned to the country from Iran and Pakistan during this period, while health responses to them faced various challenges.
Of the total 73,560 returnees, more than 60 percent entered Afghanistan from Iran and 40 percent from Pakistan through five official crossing points. The busiest entry point was the Islam Qala crossing in Herat, accounting for nearly half of the returns, whereas the Bahramcha crossing in Nimroz recorded the lowest numbers. These figures represent a 35 percent decrease compared to the previous two weeks.
In response to this wave of returns, nine health centers have been activated in eastern Afghanistan, particularly in Nangarhar and at the Torkham crossing. Over 2,000 outpatient consultations were recorded, with reported illnesses including respiratory infections, diarrhea, malnutrition, hypertension, and non-communicable diseases. Additionally, the Torkham trauma hospital witnessed more than 4,200 visits and 188 admissions.
In the western region, a joint commission between WHO and the Ministry of Public Health has held coordination meetings in Islam Qala. During this time, nearly 3,000 health consultations, 450 trauma treatments, and vaccinations for over 27,000 children have been conducted. Key issues discussed included winter preparedness, prevention of sexual exploitation, and polio eradication efforts.
In the south (Spin Boldak, Milak, and Bahramcha), eight health centers have been active, providing more than 13,926 consultations. Common diseases reported include respiratory infections, diarrhea, and physical injuries. Vaccination teams in this region immunized over 33,000 children against polio.
The northeast, with health centers in Badakhshan, Takhar, Kunduz, and Baghlan, has offered health consultations to more than 12,700 people. Several children were also vaccinated at the Sher Khan Bandar crossing.
In the southeast (Khost and the Ghulam Khan crossing), trained vaccinators have immunized nearly 1,000 individuals. The primary goal of these efforts is to prevent the spread of polio along migrant routes.
Health monitoring and screenings of returnees have also been conducted, with over 32,000 people examined across the western, eastern, and southern regions. Among them, approximately 700 suspected cases were identified, including COVID-19, diarrhea, and respiratory infections.
The report emphasizes that the lack of sustainable funding, insufficient quarantine facilities, and an increasing need for psychosocial support at border crossings are significant gaps in the health response for returnees. WHO has called for the expansion of health services and strengthened coordination among institutions to address this crisis.
This report comes as the Taliban administration, due to systematic neglect of public health and reduced support for humanitarian organizations, has paved the way for broader health crises. Lack of transparent response, ineffective management, and restrictions imposed on international organizations have severely diminished the capacity for effective aid delivery.
