UN: 339,000 Migrants Returned from Iran to Afghanistan in 12 Days
Stephane Dujarric, the United Nations spokesperson, announced that approximately 339,000 migrants returned from Iran to Afghanistan in the first 12 days of July 2025, bringing the total number of returnees this year to over 1.1 million.
Speaking at a recent press briefing, Dujarric noted that families account for more than 60% of the returnees from Iran, with 43% being children under 18. Alarmingly, there is a growing number of unaccompanied or separated children among them, raising serious concerns for humanitarian organizations.
Dujarric revealed that Tom Fletcher, the UN’s Emergency Relief Coordinator, has allocated $10 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to bolster lifesaving assistance for Afghan returnees from neighboring countries.
He highlighted the recent surge in returns from Iran, stating that the new funding will support the most vulnerable, particularly women and children, as they reintegrate into their communities.“Our humanitarian partners report that most recent returnees are heading to urban centers like Herat and Kabul, where many urgently need support,” Dujarric said. “The influx is also placing significant strain on host communities, which are already highly vulnerable due to limited services and scarce resources.”The UN, in collaboration with partners, is working to address the growing needs wherever possible.
So far this year, nearly 600,000 returnees have received food assistance at border points, and over half a million have accessed healthcare services. However, Dujarric emphasized the critical need for additional funding.
The Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Afghanistan is less than a quarter funded, with a funding gap exceeding $1.8 billion. “We need cash, and we need it urgently,” he stressed.
The UN and its partners continue to call for international support to address this escalating humanitarian crisis as Afghanistan grapples with the challenges of reintegrating returnees amidst ongoing economic and social difficulties.
