More than 6.04 million Afghan citizens have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan since the end of September 2023, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).


Such a large-scale inflow is placing significant pressure on local communities and humanitarian structures. Many of the returnees require housing, medical assistance, employment, and access to basic services, TOLOnews reports.


The IOM emphasised the need for long-term international support to address the growing humanitarian and socio-economic challenges in the country.


According to the organisation, Afghanistan has seen a marked increase in cross-border migrant returns over the past two years, requiring expanded reintegration programs for returnees.


By Jeyhun Aghazada