UN Reports Humanitarian Support for Over 293,000 Afghan Returnees from Iran Last Year

The International Organization for Migration has reported providing humanitarian aid to more than 293,000 Afghan returnees who came back from Iran last year. This figure includes support extended to more than 45,000 vulnerable individuals among the returnees. The aid is part of ongoing efforts to assist those who have returned to Afghanistan under challenging circumstances.

The process of returns from Iran has not stopped and has carried on into 2026. Afghan migrants who have returned are encountering several difficulties in their home country. Among the main problems are unemployment, a lack of proper shelter, and restricted access to basic services that many people rely on for daily life.

Looking ahead, the United Nations expects around 2.7 million Afghans to return from neighboring countries in 2026. This expectation is based on current trends in migration and repatriation. In total, nearly 5.9 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan since September 2023. To facilitate support for these large numbers of returnees, the United Nations has allocated $529 million in aid for Afghanistan.

This funding has allowed assistance programs to start for returnees arriving from Iran as well as from Pakistan. The overall goal is to address the humanitarian needs arising from these returns in an effective manner.