The war between the United States and Israel and Iran has exposed Afghan migrants living in Iran to a deteriorating humanitarian situation. This has also raised concerns among international aid organizations that are involved in providing shelter and financial assistance to Afghan migrants.
Alongside other international organizations, the Norwegian Refugee Council stated in a recently published report that around 4 million Afghan migrants living in Iran are facing serious challenges in economic, social, and other humanitarian areas.
The report noted that the war between the United States and Israel and Iran has forced 35,000 Afghan migrants to return to Afghanistan, while many others are living in parts of Iran that face a high risk of attacks by Israel and the United States.
Part of the report states: “More than 4 million Afghans in Iran are considered among vulnerable populations. The war between the United States and Israel and Iran has forced 35,000 Afghan migrants to return to Afghanistan, and more than 1 million others are facing a serious risk of return, even though their country is not in a suitable condition to receive them.”
In addition to the Norwegian Refugee Council, the International Organization for Human Rights and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have also expressed deep concern that the war by the United States and Israel against Iran, along with the return of millions of Afghan migrants to Afghanistan with an uncertain future, will further worsen their already dire humanitarian situation.
Due to internet outages or limited access in Iran, it was not possible to gather the views of Afghan migrants currently living there.
However, Afghan migrants in the country had previously acknowledged that the war between the United States and Israel and Iran has severely affected their lives.
Refugee rights activist Abdul Razzaq Adil said: “Due to the war between Iran and Israel, more than 35,000 Afghan migrants have returned to the country, and over 1 million others are at risk. In such conditions, where internet access is cut off and communication is limited, it is essential for responsible institutions to provide urgent humanitarian assistance, including shelter, healthcare services, food supplies, and psychological support. Safe return mechanisms must also be ensured, and support should be provided for the reintegration of returnees.”
Some other refugee rights advocates believe that the increase in the return of Afghan migrants from Iran, compared to previous periods, is due to the war between the United States and Israel and Iran, as well as the sharp rise in unemployment.
The Norwegian Refugee Council stated that financial support from international aid organizations for Afghan migrants has been severely affected at a time when the United States is spending billions of dollars weekly on the war against Iran, while paying little attention to assisting those in need.
