Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Over one million Afghans forcibly returned from Pakistan are at serious risk of falling into crisis unless urgent action is taken to support their reintegration, the Asia Displacement Solutions Platform (ADSP) and its members—the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), International Rescue Committee (IRC), and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)—warned in a joint statement.
Since Pakistan launched its “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan” in September 2023, the number of Afghans returning has surged, compounding Afghanistan’s existing humanitarian emergency. An additional 600,000 returns are projected for 2025, following another million Afghans who were forced back from Iran in 2024.
“The scale and speed of returns—many of them involuntary—are placing immense pressure on a country already reeling from economic collapse, widespread poverty, and ongoing protection challenges,” the agencies said. With two-thirds of the population needing aid, returnees face overwhelming barriers, including lack of jobs, shelter, and access to basic services.
Female-headed households and women returnees are particularly vulnerable, facing mobility restrictions, protection risks, and minimal livelihood opportunities. The situation is especially bleak for girls, who remain barred from education beyond sixth grade.
“Most returnees come back with nothing—no land, no money, no community ties,” said ADSP. “Determination alone won’t rebuild their lives. They need concrete support.”
The humanitarian response has ramped up, including through the new Integrated Response Plan for Afghan Returnees. But ADSP warns that without investment in long-term solutions—such as land access, jobs, education, and legal documents—Afghanistan risks a new wave of internal displacement and long-term instability.
ADSP is urging donors and governments to move beyond emergency aid and treat the influx of returnees as a structural issue requiring political will and sustainable planning. “This is not just a test of humanitarian response,” they stressed. “It’s a test of whether the world is ready to support Afghans in rebuilding their futures with dignity.”
