The ongoing forced homecoming continues for Afghan refugees who had sought refuge in neighboring countries. Thousands of Afghan refugees have been relocated from countries like Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, and Tajikistan, back into Afghanistan. Without international attention and assistance, it will be difficult for these men, women, and children to survive in a country with regressive policies and little to offer its citizens.
In the conflict-affected Afghan Republic and the state now controlled by the Taliban, displacement of Afghans has been common. Fear of persecution, natural disasters, and the pursuit of better opportunities have led to an estimated 5.9 million Afghans becoming internally displaced persons or refugees abroad since 2001. In the past year, Afghanistan’s neighbors have made efforts to send Afghans back to a country with limited resources.
Host governments, including Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, and Tajikistan, have begun to show less tolerance towards Afghan refugees. Their actions may be driven by strategic objectives rather than humanitarian concerns, leading to the deportation or forced relocation of Afghan refugees.
As a result, over 500,000 Afghans have returned to Afghanistan, including women and children, many of whom were born and raised in other countries. They face challenges in finding homes and essential resources, especially with the harsh winter approaching. The Taliban have called for a halt to the deportations, but challenges remain in providing for the basic needs of the returning Afghans.
The international community must pay attention to the plight of these refugees and provide essential support. Afghan refugee-hosting countries should stop forcing them out, and aid agencies can provide temporary assistance. In the long term, engagement with the Taliban regime is necessary to address the refugee crisis and help Afghanistan’s economy recover.