Forced Return, Broken Futures: The Plight of Afghan Refugees Sent Back to Uncertainty

Image Credit, NRC

price for geopolitical decisions beyond their control, as they are forced into a homeland unable to provide for them,” Egeland added. “These mass expulsions risk destabilizing Afghanistan further, worsening the humanitarian crisis and deepening the suffering of millions already living in extreme poverty.”

Afghanistan, already buckling under the weight of decades-long conflict and successive economic shocks, is ill-equipped to handle this massive influx. The nation’s infrastructure is inadequate, and humanitarian resources are stretched thin. As Afghans arrive in desperate conditions, they are met with limited access to food, shelter, healthcare, and employment. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) emphasizes that the international community must act urgently to prevent a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe.

In many cases, those being forced out of neighboring countries are families who have lived there for years, even decades. Their children have grown up in Pakistan or Iran, with little connection to Afghanistan beyond ancestral ties. For many, returning to a country plagued by insecurity and economic despair is not just daunting but life-threatening.

The timing of these expulsions coincides with a global donor fatigue that has drastically reduced international funding for Afghanistan. Egeland pointed out that “humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan has seen alarming reductions, leaving aid organizations like NRC struggling to meet even the most basic needs of returning families.” He urged wealthier nations to restore and expand funding for Afghanistan to prevent further deterioration of living conditions.

The human cost of these forced migrations is devastating. Families are often split apart during chaotic border crossings. Children, many of whom have only known life in Iran or Pakistan, are being uprooted and sent to regions they have never seen. Reports from aid organizations highlight a sharp rise in malnutrition, homelessness, and untreated medical conditions among the returnees.

Egeland also highlighted the vulnerability of women and girls in this crisis. Many are returning to areas where their rights and freedoms are severely restricted. “For Afghan women, the return often marks the end of their access to education and employment opportunities, further exacerbating gender inequalities and undermining their ability to support their families,” he said.

The NRC calls on neighboring countries to halt large-scale expulsions and ensure that any returns are voluntary, safe, and dignified. Additionally, Egeland urged the international community to prioritize humanitarian funding for Afghanistan, create pathways for legal migration, and invest in long-term development to address the root causes of displacement.

The situation in Afghanistan is a sobering reminder of the human cost of global inaction and the ongoing failure to address the root causes of displacement. As millions face an uncertain future, the burden falls on the international community to provide a lifeline before the crisis spirals out of control. The time to act is now, before Afghanistan’s fragile stability collapses under the weight of neglect and indifference.

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