UNICEF has committed to providing essential support to Afghan returnees amid a surge in deportations from Iran and Pakistan. The organization is delivering critical healthcare, hygiene kits, and basic services to thousands of families, including vulnerable children, arriving at border crossings like Islam Qala and Torkham. In June 2025 alone, over 250,000 Afghans, including 5,000 unaccompanied children, were forcibly returned from Iran, overwhelming Afghanistan’s fragile support systems.
Through partnerships, such as with the Government of China, UNICEF has distributed over 5,700 hygiene kits at Torkham, helping families maintain health and dignity. The agency has also installed handwashing systems, toilets, and water supply points, serving more than 42,000 families. These efforts aim to combat diseases like acute watery diarrhea, a significant risk in overcrowded border areas. UNICEF’s representative, Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale, described the situation as an “emergency” within a chronic humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the need for sustained international support.
The deportations, driven by Iran’s March 2025 mandate for undocumented Afghans to leave, have intensified, with daily crossings reaching up to 50,000. Many returnees, particularly women and children, face challenges reintegrating into a country grappling with economic collapse and restrictive Taliban policies. UNICEF continues to advocate for safe, voluntary returns and increased funding to bolster aid efforts, warning that without global cooperation, the crisis could deepen.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 14th, 2025
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