Renewing key documents brings hope to Afghans in Iran

Every year, Afghans must renew their refugee documents (called “Amayesh cards”), otherwise their stay in Iran may be considered as “irregular”. This time, they had to pay IRR 1,900,000* for each member of the family. But as the cost of living in Iran increases, refugees are struggling with what to prioritise.

Thanks to European Union Humanitarian Aid, NRC is helping Afghans in Iran to renew their refugee documents and gain access to other rights, such as education and healthcare.

One less barrier

Yazd Province is located at the centre of Iran and is famous for its desert and beautiful cultural and historical sites. But it is less famous for the large number of Afghans living there, which you will notice as soon as you enter its capital, Yazd City. Refugees in Yazd Province are mostly from Afghanistan’s Farah Province. While many arrived in Iran four decades ago, there are many others who arrived just recently.

Afghans in Yazd Province mainly work in the mining and construction sectors. However, they still struggle to meet all their basic needs.

NRC prioritised providing assistance to the Afghans who had been unable to renew their refugee cards in previous years, as they were recently given the opportunity to renew documentation that had expired years ago. As Mohsen says: “It was an opportunity that couldn’t be missed!”

“Since some Afghans are quite elderly, many Iranians came in to receive NRC’s assistance on behalf of their older Afghan neighbours. They also helped them navigate the process of renewing their refugee documents,” recalls Mohsen.

NRC’s team went to Yazd City and two refugee settlements (Ardakan and Maybod) to provide cash cards and information about the legal processes for renewing their Amayesh cards, as well as to identify the refugees’ other needs.