Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
- In April, UNHCR launched a regional appeal, which seeks $71 million to respond to emergency needs over the next nine months in response to the ongoing wave of returns to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan. The appeal targets 602,000 people with immediate humanitarian assistance and reintegration support. The additional funds will allow UNHCR to provide crucial financial assistance for returnees to cover urgent needs, travel, access to services, and reintegration activities – with an emphasis on reaching women and girls. Since 2023, more than 3.4 million Afghans have returned or been deported from Iran and Pakistan, including over 1.5 million in 2024 alone. Such mass returns have strained the capacity of many provinces in Afghanistan and exacerbated the risk of further internal displacement. This appeal draws on UNHCR’s operational presence in the three countries, along with regional coordination from Bangkok, Thailand, to deliver a swift, protection-centred response to this complex situation.
- Phase 2 of the Government of Pakistan’s “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan” (IFRP) was initiated on 1 April 2025, marking the start of deportations of Afghan Citizenship Card (ACC) holders alongside undocumented people to Afghanistan. In April, 148,200 Afghans returned, including 30,200 (20%) who were deported. Most returns in April were undocumented people (72%), followed by ACC holders (22%) and Proof of Registration (PoR) card holders (6%). Deportations in April account for 42% of all deportations since 15 September 2023, surpassing the levels recorded in November 2023 during the height of Phase 1 of the IFRP. Although UNHCR recognises the pressures on countries that have hosted millions of Afghans for decades, it continues to engage with the Government of Pakistan to advocate for voluntary returns, as many people may face serious protection risks in Afghanistan.
- 137,700 returns were recorded from Iran in April, including 77,700 deportations. These movements follow the Government of Iran’s announcement that headcount slips will not be extended beyond 20 March 2025. Following their expiration, the Government of Iran introduced a regularization and return scheme to manage the status of over two million affected people. Headcount slip holders are now required to undergo Government assessments to determine whether they will be allowed to remain in the country or are required to depart. Certain groups qualify for exemptions, including people in mixed-status families (those with both Amayesh cards and headcount slips) and former Afghan government or military personnel. These groups are issued temporary cards (Movaqqat), which grant short-term stay rights and access to services like those available to Amayesh card holders. However, the long-term validity of these cards remains subject to further Government decisions. Most others are required to leave Iran and may only return with a visa. UNHCR continues to urge the Government of Iran to ensure that returns to Afghanistan are voluntary, safe and dignified. Given the human rights situation in Afghanistan, many Afghans face serious protection risks upon return, particularly women, girls, and members of ethnic and religious minorities, regardless of documentation status. For the latest information on returns from Pakistan and Iran, please visit the Afghanistan situation page of the Operational Data Portal.
- On 25 April, UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Operations concluded a three-day visit to Pakistan to reaffirm support for Afghan refugees and their host communities. In Islamabad, he met with several senior officials, including the Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and States and Frontier Regions, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, and other officials from the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs. During the meetings, the Assistant High Commissioner underscored the importance of continued solidarity with Pakistan and the Afghan refugee population amid the ongoing humanitarian and human rights crisis in Afghanistan. He also urged the continuation of Pakistan’s longstanding tradition of hospitality towards Afghans in need of international protection and reiterated UNHCR’s commitment to work with the Government on durable solutions, including voluntary, dignified, and sustainable returns, and advocated for the extension of PoR cards to ensure continued protection. He also met with refugee representatives in Islamabad, who spoke about the challenges they currently face and their concerns at the prospect of forced return.