The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Asia-Pacific branch announced that it plans to deploy some of its staff from Iran and Afghanistan to Lebanon and Syria to assist vulnerable populations in those countries.
The decision comes in response to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the U.S. in the region and the increasing numbers of displaced persons.
According to a UNHCR statement, the recent escalation of fighting between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement has forced thousands of families in Beirut and surrounding areas to flee to other parts of Lebanon and into Syria.
The statement said:
“UNHCR staff are moving from Iran and Afghanistan to Lebanon and Syria to support people forced to leave their homes, as the regional crisis intensifies.”
In southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Beirut, evacuation warnings issued by Israel to residents of 53 villages have led to widespread displacement. By Monday, around 30,000 people had been displaced within Lebanon, with thousands more fleeing to Syria.
UNHCR also reported that due to Pakistani military airstrikes on Afghanistan and ongoing fighting along the de facto frontlines with Afghan forces, Afghan refugees are suffering casualties and thousands of families have been displaced internally.
“Given our active presence in Afghanistan, we are seeing serious challenges in assisting refugees. Pakistani airstrikes near the Torkham transit route have damaged reception centers at Omari Pendghali and Spīn Boldak, and thousands in Kunar province have been displaced to other areas. While the Torkham route is closed, Spīn Boldak remains open for returning refugees,” the UNHCR said.
Meanwhile, despite repeated failures in its campaign against Afghan forces, the Pakistani military has increased violent measures against Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Afghan refugees in Pakistan reported rising arrests and mistreatment during the conflict. Afghan Haji Nazar said:
“Since the start of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan during Ramadan, the Pakistani authorities have decided to round up Afghans from every city. They are taking Afghan refugees from their homes, shops, and workplaces.”
According to UNHCR, in the year 2026 alone, 232,500 Afghan refugees have been forcibly expelled from Iran and Pakistan.
