Current Status of the Afghan Refugees

Where are the refugees now?

• The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR has helped 3.69 million Afghan refugees return to Afghanistan since March 2002, marking the largest assisted return operation in its history.

• The status of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran has also been somewhat controversial in recent years as these governments want all Afghan refugees to return to Afghanistan.

• Officials in Pakistan have become concerned that the concentrations of Afghans in the country pose a security and crime risk, as individuals and goods are smuggled across the border.

• For centuries, Afghans have migrated in response to crop failures, drought, and other problems, often across international borders, to look for temporary work.

• Over 12,000 Afghan refugees returned in the first nine months of 2023, mostly due to the cost of living and lack of employment opportunities in host countries, the improved security situation in Afghanistan, and a desire to be with their families.

• Some 3.4 million people remain displaced in Afghanistan due to conflict in recent years.

• Pakistani security forces have launched sweeps to arrest and deport Afghans who are in the country without papers, sending dozens back after a deadline set by the government, for them to leave, expired.