KABUL (SW) – Since the beginning of 1403 solar year (April-November 2024), at least 500,000 Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan from Iran, according to officials at the Ministry of Repatriations and Refugees (MoRR) of the Islamic Emirate.
Abdul Rahman Rashid, the Minister of Professional Affairs of the MoRR, told Salam Watandar that officials at the ministry have engaged with Iranian authorities to address the challenges facing Afghan migrants in Iran. They have urged Iranian officials not to forcibly deport the migrants.
“The migrants should not be deported forcibly, but should return voluntarily to Afghanistan,” he said.
Meanwhile, several Afghan returnees from Iran and Pakistan have highlighted major challenges, including the lack of shelter, access to basic services, and employment. They are calling on the de-facto government to provide better employment opportunities.
Ahmad, a resident of Ghor who was forcibly expelled from Iran via the Islam Qala border, Herat, said, “Our demand from the government is to address our problems. We worked there, but they didn’t pay us. Now winter is approaching, there are no jobs here, and we haven’t received any heating supplies. We want assistance.”
Abdullah, another resident of Ghor who was also forcibly deported from Iran, said, “When we were brought to Afghanistan, no organization helped us. Winter is near, and we want the government to provide us with job opportunities.”
Officials from the Ministry of Repatriations and Refugees mentioned that in the October 27, 2024, a total of 7,881 Afghan migrants returned from Pakistan to Afghanistan.
Mohammad, a resident of Nangarhar who was forcibly deported from Pakistan through the Torkham border, said, “Now we have come back to our homeland, but there are challenges, such as the lack of housing and basic living facilities. We ask the government to provide us with shelter and job opportunities, as winter is approaching.”
According to the Ministry of Repatriations and Refugees, approximately 7 million Afghan citizens are living abroad, with 3 million in Pakistan, over 3 million in Iran, and the remainder in European countries.
