UN Official Warns of Dire Situation Facing Afghan Returnees from Iran
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ representative for Afghanistan has stated that many Afghans residing in Iran face a difficult choice: either continue living under war conditions and economic hardships in Iran or return to Afghanistan and confront similar challenges.
Arafat Jamal told Al Jazeera that the process of migrant return requires urgent attention. According to him, many of these individuals express concerns about security issues such as bombings and conflicts while simultaneously complaining about poor economic conditions. He emphasized that the current environment makes decision-making complex and worrisome for these families.
Based on the UN official’s statements, approximately 110,000 Afghans have returned from Iran to Afghanistan this year. It has also been reported that nearly 2.8 million people returned to Afghanistan in 2025, a figure illustrating the intense pressure on the country’s infrastructure and basic services.
Referring to Pakistani military attacks on parts of Afghanistan, Arafat Jamal noted that many returnees are fleeing one war only to face another. He added that no “favorable option” appears to exist for these individuals.
The UN representative also warned that the organization currently lacks sufficient financial resources to effectively monitor and address the situation of returnees. Meanwhile, with the rising wave of returns, the Taliban administration and relevant domestic entities are expected to take practical and transparent measures to provide shelter, health services, and livelihood opportunities. Neglecting the conditions of incoming residents could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in several areas of the country.
