Situation Overview

IOM is responding to a substantial increase in the return of undocumented Afghans from Pakistan and Iran. Since 1 January 2016, over 721,000 undocumented Afghans have returned due to diverse push factors, including deteriorating protection space in Pakistan. Many 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 into a country already struggling with widespread conflict and displacement. While returns have declined in line with seasonal trends during winter, previous surges in returns have been unpredictable and an estimated 1.1 million Afghans still remain in Pakistan. IOM is prepared to respond to increased needs and is appealing for additional funding to continue its emergency response programming.

Highlights

• 1,562 undocumented Afghans returned from Pakistan
• 7,729 undocumented Afghans returned from Iran
• 252,973 total returns from Pakistan since 1 January 2016
• 468,841 total returns from Iran since 1 January 2016
• 85% of returnees from Pakistan (1,332 individuals) assisted
• 4% of returnees from Iran (305 individuals) assisted

Returns from Pakistan

From 15-21 January 2017, a total of 1,562 undocumented Afghans spontaneously returned or were deported from Pakistan through Torkham border (Nangarhar province) and Spin Boldak border (Kandahar province), according to the Border Monitoring Team of the Directorate of Refugees and Repatriation (DoRR). This is roughly equal to the number of returns during the previous week. Of the total, 1,423 were spontaneous returnees in family groups and 139 were deported individuals. This brings the total number of undocumented Afghan returnees from Pakistan to 252,973 since 1 January 2016. During the reporting period, IOM assisted 1,332 (85%) undocumented Afghan returnees from Pakistan, including 91 members of single parent families and 22 special cases. The support provided includes meals and accommodation at IOM’s Transit Centers near the border, household supplies and other Non-Food Items (NFIs) for families, special assistance to Persons with Specific Needs (PSNs), and other assistance from partners.

Returns from Iran

A total of 7,729 undocumented Afghans spontaneously returned or were deported from Iran through Islam Qala (Herat) and Milak (Nimroz) border crossings from 15-21 January, a 17% decrease compared with the previous week. Out of the total, 4,449 were spontaneous returnees and 3,280 were deportees. This brings the total number of undocumented returnees from Iran since 1 January 2016 to 468,841. IOM provided post-arrival humanitarian assistance to 305 (4%) undocumented Afghans arriving from Iran at its Transit Centers in Herat and Nimroz, including 69 unaccompanied migrant children (UMC) and 30 persons in need of special medical assistance.

See original report here.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in the report are not necessarily supported by CRSS.