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Overview
Afghanistan, a country deeply impacted by decades of conflict, has seen widespread displacement, affecting millions of its citizens. The ongoing instability and economic hardships have led to internal displacement and the mass return of Afghan nationals from neighbouring countries such as Iran and Pakistan has further strained the situation. Alongside this, Afghanistan is grappling with the adverse effects of climate change, which has compounded the hardships faced by vulnerable communities. Over 2 million Afghans have returned from neighbouring countries in 2025 alone,1 adding to an estimated 3.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and leaving over 22 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. At the heart of this multifaceted crisis lies a critical civil documentation gap, particularly concerning the Tazkira (national identity card), which severely impedes protection and reintegration efforts. The Tazkira is critical for accessing fundamental rights and essential services such as healthcare, education, employment, and legal protection. However, the complex, and costly processes, creates formidable barriers, thus exposing individuals to exploitation, discrimination, and the long-term risk of statelessness. While Afghanistan's National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) have robust infrastructure, issuing over 15 million e-Tazkira’s since May 2018, humanitarian efforts remain severely under-resourced. Despite the urgent need, demand often remains low due to affordability issues and limited awareness, preventing millions from securing their identity documentation. This briefing document aims to highlight the importance of the Tazkira, its role in facilitating access to vital services, and the role NRC plays in obtaining the Tazkira. By focusing on the context of mass returns and displacement, this document will outline how obtaining a Tazkira is a fundamental requirement for the legal, social, and economic reintegration of returnees, and how addressing this gap is crucial to Afghanistan's recovery and stability.