Over 1.5 million Afghan citizens have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan in the first half of 2025, according to a new report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This massive influx of returnees, exceeding 1.2 million from Iran alone, is creating a significant humanitarian challenge, the UN warns.

The OCHA report, released July 19, reveals a concerning trend: the vast majority of those returning from Iran (nearly 100%) were undocumented. While a smaller percentage of those returning from Pakistan lacked documentation (62%), a significant number held Proof of Registration (PoR) cards (25%), with the remainder possessing Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) or asylum seeker status.

The report also highlights the vulnerability of children within the returning population. Children under 18 constituted 43% of returnees from Iran and a higher 53% of those returning from Pakistan.

The UN emphasizes the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to address the critical needs of these returning Afghans. OCHA stresses that healthcare, shelter, cash assistance, access to clean water, and transportation are among the most pressing concerns. The scale of the return, coupled with the high percentage of undocumented individuals and children, poses a significant strain on already stretched resources within Afghanistan. The UN is appealing for international support to mitigate the humanitarian crisis unfolding as a result of this mass return.