UN Agency Reports Middle East Conflict Driving Surge in Returns to Afghanistan

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is currently exerting the greatest humanitarian pressure on Afghanistan. According to the agency’s latest assessment covering the period from April 3 to April 21, the region has experienced a sharp increase in population returns, severely straining local resources.

OCHA stated that the number of individuals returning to Afghanistan from neighboring Iran and Pakistan surged from 54,000 in the initial phase of the conflict to 190,900 over the subsequent 20 days. This rapid influx has placed significant strain on border provinces and urban centers that were already operating under considerable pressure.

Beyond the demographic shift, the agency highlighted severe economic disruptions linked to the regional instability. Maritime disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have driven up transport, insurance, and fuel costs, which are disrupting established regional supply chains. OCHA warned that the initial economic shock is rapidly transitioning into a broader humanitarian crisis. The rising costs are reducing household purchasing power and limiting access to essential goods, including food and fuel, thereby heightening the risk of severe food insecurity across the country.

The assessment underscores the interconnected nature of regional security and Afghanistan’s humanitarian landscape, with officials noting that continued instability abroad will likely compound existing vulnerabilities within the country.