Islamabad: As the humanitarian and human rights situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate, neighboring countries Iran and Pakistan face increasing pressures from an influx of Afghan refugees, AS PER the midyear report of the 2024 Regional Refugee Response Plan. Despite a nonreturn advisory due to the challenging conditions in Afghanistan, over 156,000 Afghans have returned from Pakistan in the first half of the year, highlighting the complex dynamics of displacement and return.
According to Pakistan Meteorological Department, which monitors regional humanitarian issues, the situation for Afghan refugees remains precarious, with both Iran and Pakistan grappling with economic strains, rising xenophobia, and a cost of living crisis that severely affects refugees’ lives. Iran, now home to the world’s largest refugee population, continues to extend health and education services to over 4.5 million Afghans, despite facing significant challenges in service delivery and increasing tensions over labor competition.
Pakistan’s tradition of hospitality is under immense strain as it hosts approximately 1.3 million Afghan refugees and over 1.5 million of other statuses. The government’s 2023 “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan” (IFRP) aimed to repatriate over one million undocumented foreigners, leading to significant returns of Afghans to their homeland under duress. However, the pace of these returns has slowed in 2024 following a pause in the IFRP, amidst concerns about involuntary repatriations and the vulnerability of specific groups such as women, girls, and ethnic minorities.
The report highlights the urgent need for increased support for Iran and Pakistan to manage the burgeoning refugee populations, emphasizing the potential destabilization of the region if displaced populations are not adequately supported. With the continuation of the crisis in Afghanistan, the risk of further displacement and movement remains high.
The Regional Refugee Response Plan is backed by a consortium of 51 partners, including 13 UN agencies and various international and local NGOs, with a funding requirement of USD 620.4 million for 2024. As of mid-year, only 25% of these funds have been secured, underscoring the critical gap in resources needed to address the comprehensive needs of 7.3 million people, encompassing refugees and their host communities.