Afghan Returnees Strain Support Systems

In a recent report, the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) has raised alarms over the overwhelming influx of Afghan migrants returning from Iran. More than 700,000 Afghan nationals have made the journey back home so far this year, with 256,000 returning in June alone, creating immense pressure on Afghanistan’s already fragile support systems.

The massive wave of returnees comes amid a backdrop of economic challenges and limited resources within Afghanistan. UN agencies have expressed concerns over the country’s capacity to accommodate the returning population, emphasizing the urgent need for international support to bolster Afghanistan’s humanitarian infrastructure.

The IOM’s report highlights the critical need for enhanced coordination among humanitarian organizations to address the immediate needs of the returnees. These include housing, food, and medical care, which are currently under severe strain due to the unexpected surge.

UN officials are calling for a collective global response to ensure that Afghanistan can provide adequate support to its returning citizens and avoid further destabilization in the region. The situation underscores the broader implications of migration flows and the need for sustainable solutions to address such humanitarian crises.