Afghan Migrants in Turkey Face Legal, Livelihood and Health Challenges

Afghan migrants in Turkey report facing widespread legal, livelihood and health problems that make daily life difficult and futures uncertain, according to interviews with migrants.

Those without legal residence documents encounter additional restrictions. Firozuddin Aidin Mohammadi, an Afghan migrant in Turkey, said migrants face human smugglers and various issues including health challenges, food shortages and finding accommodation.

Noor Mohammad Turkmen Oghlu, another Afghan migrant, described further hardships for those without legal status: doctors refuse treatment without residence permits, inter-city travel tickets are unavailable, arrests are frequent and police make detentions.

Migrant activists argue that to reduce youth inclination toward human smuggling and illegal migration, the Afghan government should address migrants' positions in society and the labor market. Nazar Nori, a migrant activist, told ToloNews that creating sustainable job opportunities through industrial development, employment projects and support for young entrepreneurs would increase motivation to remain in Afghanistan.

Ongoing economic challenges, job shortages and insufficient opportunities in Afghanistan are cited as primary drivers of increased migration to regional countries including Turkey. At the same time, stricter legal measures and restrictions in host countries have complicated migrants' situations.