After decades of conflict, a crippling economic collapse and devastating climate shocks, Afghanistan is unprepared to receive millions at risk of expulsion from neighbouring countries in coming months, warns Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Secretary General Jan Egeland during a visit to the country.
Millions of Afghans face expulsion under desperate conditions
"The many vulnerable Afghans already returning from Iran, whom I met at the border this week, feel they live in an enduring limbo. They left Afghanistan in search of a better and safer life and are now returning to an uncertain future in Afghanistan, where they face the same unemployment, hunger and human rights violations that made them leave their homeland in the first place," said Egeland.
Iran has announced plans to expel up to two million Afghans by March 2025. At least 800,000 Afghans have already been expelled from Pakistan since October 2023. Most are left with no choice but to stay in urban areas where they struggle to find work or housing. While some have family connections in the area from which they originate, many lack such ties after many years in exile and have nowhere to go.
"Poor and displaced Afghan families are paying a heavy price for a lack of real, durable solutions to assist displaced people and refugees caught in an escalating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and host countries," said Egeland. "In meetings with Taliban authorities, I discussed how we can work together to better support people returning”.
"During my visit, I also raised the severe restrictions on the fundamental rights faced by women and girls in Afghanistan, who are now restricted from participating in education, employment and public life. The ongoing ban on secondary education for girls means that 1.5 million teenage girls are out of school. Additionally, a new incomprehensible ban has shut down training for midwives and nurses, which will not only destroy livelihoods but will also directly threaten women's health and lives," Egeland said.
"Restoring human rights for women and girls requires engagement with the Afghan authorities. More seminars in Western capitals will have little impact. We urge the international community to engage with the authorities in Afghanistan, like we do, and increase their support for principled humanitarian assistance, for which the authorities must create an enabling environment. Many countries' continued disengagement with authorities in Afghanistan is only enabling more restrictions and suffering for the women, girls and families here – many of whom see no option but to risk their lives on perilous journeys”, stated Egeland.
International aid, which has been essential in alleviating immense humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, is now dwindling. Three-and-a-half years after the Taliban takeover, the population is trapped in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Currently, millions of Afghans, including the most vulnerable women and children, are enduring harsh winter conditions with snow and nighttime temperatures down to minus ten degrees Celsius, making the work of NRC and other humanitarian organisations even more crucial.
Notes to editors:
- In September 2024, Iran announced its intention to expel up to two million Afghans by March 2025 (DW, September 2024).
- Since October 2023, nearly 800,000 Afghans have been expelled from Pakistan (IOM DTM Dec. 15, 2024).
- 9 million Afghans need humanitarian support in 2025, 53% of whom are children and 25% women, according to the HRP for Afghanistan (Afghanistan HNRP 2025).
- Humanitarian funding for Afghanistan has significantly declined each year: 76% of the HRP requirement was met in 2022, dropping to 46% in 2023 and only 44.9% as of December 2024 (OCHA FTS).
- Nearly 50% of the Afghan population live in poverty, according to the World Bank (Afghanistan Development Update, 2024).
- According to the 2025 Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), 1.5 million teenage girls are out of school due to the ongoing ban on secondary education for girls.
- Iran hosts at least 4.5 million Afghans. This number includes both documented and undocumented Afghans.
- According to UNHCR, Iran is the world's largest refugee host, with 3.8 million people (the vast majority are Afghans).
- In 2024, the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP) was only 28% funded, with Iran's portion at just 24% and Pakistan's at 30% (Refugee Funding Tracker). In 2023, the RRRP was 33% funded overall (32% for Pakistan and 37% for Iran).
- UNHCR's non return advisory was issued in 2021 and renewed in 2023 (2021 Advisory, 2023 Guidance Note).
- B-roll and photos are available for free use here.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
- NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329
- Regional Media and Communications Adviser, Christian Jepsen: christian.jepsen@nrc.no +254 706 248 39 currently in Afghanistan
- Global Media Adviser, Ed Prior, ed.prior@nrc.no +47 90294379
"The many vulnerable Afghans already returning from Iran, whom I met at the border this week, feel they live in an enduring limbo. They left Afghanistan in search of a better and safer life and are now returning to an uncertain future in Afghanistan, where they face the same unemployment, hunger and human rights violations that made them leave their homeland in the first place," said Egeland.
Iran has announced plans to expel up to two million Afghans by March 2025. At least 800,000 Afghans have already been expelled from Pakistan since October 2023. Most are left with no choice but to stay in urban areas where they struggle to find work or housing. While some have family connections in the area from which they originate, many lack such ties after many years in exile and have nowhere to go.
"Poor and displaced Afghan families are paying a heavy price for a lack of real, durable solutions to assist displaced people and refugees caught in an escalating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and host countries," said Egeland. "In meetings with Taliban authorities, I discussed how we can work together to better support people returning”.
"During my visit, I also raised the severe restrictions on the fundamental rights faced by women and girls in Afghanistan, who are now restricted from participating in education, employment and public life. The ongoing ban on secondary education for girls means that 1.5 million teenage girls are out of school. Additionally, a new incomprehensible ban has shut down training for midwives and nurses, which will not only destroy livelihoods but will also directly threaten women's health and lives," Egeland said.
"Restoring human rights for women and girls requires engagement with the Afghan authorities. More seminars in Western capitals will have little impact. We urge the international community to engage with the authorities in Afghanistan, like we do, and increase their support for principled humanitarian assistance, for which the authorities must create an enabling environment. Many countries' continued disengagement with authorities in Afghanistan is only enabling more restrictions and suffering for the women, girls and families here – many of whom see no option but to risk their lives on perilous journeys”, stated Egeland.
International aid, which has been essential in alleviating immense humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, is now dwindling. Three-and-a-half years after the Taliban takeover, the population is trapped in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Currently, millions of Afghans, including the most vulnerable women and children, are enduring harsh winter conditions with snow and nighttime temperatures down to minus ten degrees Celsius, making the work of NRC and other humanitarian organisations even more crucial.
Notes to editors:
- In September 2024, Iran announced its intention to expel up to two million Afghans by March 2025 (DW, September 2024).
- Since October 2023, nearly 800,000 Afghans have been expelled from Pakistan (IOM DTM Dec. 15, 2024).
- 9 million Afghans need humanitarian support in 2025, 53% of whom are children and 25% women, according to the HRP for Afghanistan (Afghanistan HNRP 2025).
- Humanitarian funding for Afghanistan has significantly declined each year: 76% of the HRP requirement was met in 2022, dropping to 46% in 2023 and only 44.9% as of December 2024 (OCHA FTS).
- Nearly 50% of the Afghan population live in poverty, according to the World Bank (Afghanistan Development Update, 2024).
- According to the 2025 Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), 1.5 million teenage girls are out of school due to the ongoing ban on secondary education for girls.
- Iran hosts at least 4.5 million Afghans. This number includes both documented and undocumented Afghans.
- According to UNHCR, Iran is the world's largest refugee host, with 3.8 million people (the vast majority are Afghans).
- In 2024, the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP) was only 28% funded, with Iran's portion at just 24% and Pakistan's at 30% (Refugee Funding Tracker). In 2023, the RRRP was 33% funded overall (32% for Pakistan and 37% for Iran).
- UNHCR's non return advisory was issued in 2021 and renewed in 2023 (2021 Advisory, 2023 Guidance Note).
- B-roll and photos are available for free use here.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
- NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329
- Regional Media and Communications Adviser, Christian Jepsen: christian.jepsen@nrc.no +254 706 248 39 currently in Afghanistan
- Global Media Adviser, Ed Prior, ed.prior@nrc.no +47 90294379