The Taliban Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations has announced that this week, 89 Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan through the Torkham border after being released from Pakistani prisons. This action reflects ongoing efforts for Afghans to return to their homeland, but the harsh realities these individuals face provide a clearer picture of the current situation in Afghanistan.
Challenges of Returning Home
This ministry wrote on its official page on Friday, October 16, that these individuals have returned to their country after spending varying lengths of imprisonment in Pakistan. The returning migrants have been registered in the Department of Refugees and Repatriations of Nangarhar province and have been transferred to their areas after receiving humanitarian assistance.
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However, most of these migrants complain about the lack of shelter and job opportunities in Afghanistan, and as winter approaches, their concerns have significantly increased. While many of these individuals have tried to escape economic and social problems, returning home means facing new and serious challenges.
Worrying Statistics on Migrant Returns
According to United Nations statistics, since 2023, about six million Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan from neighboring countries, either forcibly or voluntarily. This figure indicates the high volume of migration and the return of Afghans to their country, but at the same time, the humanitarian and social dimensions of these returns must also be considered.
Experts say that nearly 40 percent of the Afghan population is facing severe food insecurity, and in winter, more than 19 million people will struggle with severe food shortages. This humanitarian crisis is especially felt among vulnerable populations, including women and children.
In addition to economic problems, the return of these individuals to their homeland is also accompanied by social challenges. Many of them, due to years of living abroad, are facing new cultural and situational conditions in Afghanistan and need immediate support.
In this regard, the United Nations and humanitarian organizations have called for increased assistance to Afghanistan to meet the urgent needs of these migrants and prevent the exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis. Currently, many of these individuals need basic assistance and health services to restart their lives.
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