The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR has reported that more than 86,000 Afghan migrants returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan within a single month, according to local media outlet Tolonews.
The report described the scale of returns as a significant humanitarian concern, warning that Afghanistan’s already fragile conditions are being further strained by rising reintegration pressures, limited access to essential services, and reduced absorption capacity in host communities.
According to the findings, the return movement reflects broader regional migration dynamics, with Afghan nationals crossing back due to a combination of legal, economic, and protection-related factors.
UNHCR stressed that sustained international monitoring and stronger coordination among stakeholders are essential to ensure returning families receive adequate humanitarian assistance.
The agency further emphasized the need for long-term reintegration support, stating that returns must be managed in a way that ensures dignity, stability, and access to basic services for affected populations.
Humanitarian observers have repeatedly warned that large-scale returns to Afghanistan risk deepening socio-economic pressures, particularly in areas already facing unemployment, food insecurity, and weak public infrastructure.