Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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February 13, 2026 Refugees and migrants
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has stated the need for urgent international support for Afghans returning from neighboring countries to their homeland under extremely difficult conditions. This was announced on Friday by UNHCR Representative in Afghanistan Arafat Jamal at a briefing in Geneva.
According to the agency, nearly 150,000 Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan since the beginning of 2026. This is in addition to the unprecedented 2.9 million people who arrived in the country in 2025.
Since October 2023, a total of approximately 5.4 million Afghans have returned, voluntarily or involuntarily.
UNHCR warns that the speed and scale of returns are further exacerbating the crisis in a country already facing dire humanitarian, economic, and social conditions, particularly for women and girls. The World Bank estimates that rapid population growth will reduce Afghanistan's per capita GDP by four percent by 2025.
The situation is exacerbated by a harsh winter: freezing temperatures and snowfalls threaten the lives of people, many of whom lack housing, employment, and documentation. According to a UNHCR survey, only half of men and less than a quarter of women were able to find even informal employment. More than 90 percent of families live on less than five dollars a day, and over half lack identification documents.
UNHCR expressed concern that five percent of respondents plan to leave the country again, and more than ten percent know someone who has already left after returning. "These decisions are driven by the impossibility of rebuilding a dignified life," Arafat Jamal emphasized during a briefing.
At the same time, the agency also notes “islands of hope”: among those returning in 2025, there are more people with education and work experience, which could contribute to stabilization if employment opportunities are available.
In 2026, UNHCR will prioritize supporting the reintegration of returnees in Afghanistan. The agency requires $216 million to assist returnees and internally displaced persons, but the plan is currently only eight percent funded.
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