Attachments
Highlights
1,214 undocumented Afghans returned from Pakistan
3,318 undocumented Afghans returned from Iran
8,300 total returns from Pakistan since 1 January 2017
39,151 total returns from Iran since 1 January 2017
82% of returnees from Pakistan (996 individuals) assisted this week
10% of returnees from Iran (325 individuals) assisted this week
Returns from Pakistan
From 5-11 February 2017, a total of 1,214 undocumented Afghans spontaneously returned or were deported from Pakistan through Torkham border (Nangarhar province) and Spin Boldak border (Kandahar province), according to the Border Monitoring Team of the Directorate of Refugees and Repatriation (DoRR). This is a minor increase compared with the previous week (1,202 returns). Of the total, 1,007 were spontaneous returnees in family groups and 207 were deported individuals.
This brings the total number of undocumented Afghan returnees from Pakistan to 8,300 since 1 January 2017.
During the reporting period, IOM assisted 996 (82%) undocumented Afghan returnees from Pakistan, including 126 single parents and 92 special cases. The support provided includes meals and accommodation at IOM’s Transit Centers near the border, household supplies and other Non-Food Items (NFIs) for families, special assistance to Persons with Specific Needs (PSNs), and other assistance from partners as per the adjacent table.
Situation Overview
IOM is responding to a substantial increase in the return of undocumented Afghans from Pakistan and Iran. Since 1 January 2016, over 739,000 undocumented Afghans have returned due to diverse factors, including deteriorating protection space in Pakistan.
Many of those returning have lived outside of Afghanistan for decades, and will need support from the government and humanitarian actors both on arrival and as they seek to reintegrate into a country already struggling with widespread conflict and displacement.
While returns have declined in line with seasonal trends during winter, previous surges in returns have been unpredictable and an estimated 1 million undocumented Afghans still remain in Pakistan. IOM is prepared to respond to increased needs and is appealing for additional funding to continue its emergency response programming.