KABUL: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported that since the beginning of 2026 (approximately one and a half months ago), 150,000 Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan.
According to a statement from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Friday night, in just 2025, 2.5 million Afghan migrants returned to Afghanistan, with the total reaching 5.4 million since October 2023.
The report highlights that the speed and scale of these returns, alongside human rights conditions, economic challenges, and natural disasters, have created significant difficulties.
The report also notes signs of hope: “We have observed that the social and economic conditions of returnees are changing; those who returned in 2025 generally have higher education levels and greater participation in the labor market. If sustainable livelihood opportunities are provided, they can utilize their skills and experiences to contribute to the stability of the country.”
However, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees expressed concern over the rising number of returns at the beginning of 2026, particularly during the winter season.
This UN agency emphasized that in the current year (2026), there will be increased focus on supporting returnees to Afghanistan.
In the meantime, the Taliban’s interim government is providing cash and food assistance to approximately 34,000 returning migrant families across the country and is working to create more facilities and opportunities for them.