5,000 Unaccompanied Afghan Children return from Iran – UNICEF

Recent data from UNICEF highlights a significant movement of Afghan migrants returning from Iran through the Islam Qala border, with approximately 5,000 unaccompanied children among them in June alone. This figure is part of a larger wave, with an estimated 160,000 Afghans crossing back into Afghanistan during the same period, averaging 20,000 daily returns. These children, separated from their families, face heightened risks and require urgent support.

Humanitarian organizations are providing essential services at the border, including healthcare, nutrition, and protection for these vulnerable children. The situation underscores the challenges of forced deportations and the need for coordinated efforts to ensure safe reunification and care. Many of these children lack immediate family support, making access to basic needs like food, water, and shelter a priority for aid groups.

Posts on X reflect growing concern about the scale of this migration and its impact on children, emphasizing the role of agencies like UNICEF in delivering aid. The ongoing returns highlight the broader complexities of displacement in the region, driven by economic and political factors. Southasiandesk.com will continue to monitor this developing situation to provide accurate and timely updates.

Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 1st, 2025

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