Six Million Afghans Forced to Return Amid Taliban Rule

As of August, the number of Afghans forced to return from Pakistan and Iran this year has reached one million, contributing to a total of six million returnees since the Taliban's takeover in August 2021.

Many returnees, like Nazia, who crossed into Afghanistan from Pakistan, express mixed feelings about their return, facing immediate challenges such as lack of food and shelter. The UNHCR highlights the unprecedented scale of this cross-border movement, with many families having lived abroad for decades.

Conditions for returnees are harsh, with reports of harassment in Pakistan and Iran leading to increased deportations. The Taliban government acknowledges the need for assistance as nearly half of Afghanistan's population requires humanitarian aid. However, the ongoing restrictions on women and girls under Taliban rule complicate international support efforts.