Why are more families and children returning from Iran now?

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Increased Number of Families and Children Returning from Iran Amidst Expulsion Deadline

The number of Afghan families and children returning from Iran has surged, particularly in the days leading up to Iran's July 6 deadline for undocumented Afghans to leave. This influx has created an emergency situation at border points, with a significant increase in daily crossings. The demographics of returnees have shifted from predominantly single men to entire families, many arriving with minimal possessions and facing immense hardship upon their return to Afghanistan.
Pressure and Deportation Prompting Departures

Many Afghans reported experiencing pressure from Iranian authorities, including the threat or reality of arrest and deportation, as a primary reason for their departure. Some individuals expressed extreme fear, stating they were afraid to leave their homes and that even their young children were being apprehended. This climate of apprehension and direct enforcement actions by Iranian officials has compelled many to seek return to Afghanistan, despite the difficult conditions they face there.
Shift in Returnee Demographics to Families and Children

A notable change in the composition of those returning from Iran is the increasing proportion of children. UNICEF has highlighted that 25% of all returnees are children, indicating a significant demographic shift from previous patterns where individual men were the primary returnees. This trend suggests that entire family units are now making the journey back, driven by the pressures experienced within Iran and the impending deadline.
Overwhelmed Border Services and Aid Challenges

The sheer volume of returnees has overwhelmed existing services at border crossings like Islam Qala, which was designed to handle significantly fewer people per day. While emergency processes are being initiated to scale up essential services such as water, sanitation, and nutrition, the current capacity is vastly exceeded. Compounding these challenges are substantial cuts in foreign aid, which severely impact the ability of the United Nations and other international organisations to adequately respond to the crisis and support the arriving returnees.

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Why are more families and children returning from Iran now?

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