Return of migrants from Pakistan strains vulnerable communities in Afghanistan

Nearly six million Afghan returnees from Pakistan and Iran deepen Afghanistan's crisis. Malnutrition has doubled in three months. A recent assessment shows 21.9 million, nearly 45% of the population, need urgent help amid economic woes and climate shocks worsening food insecurity.

BRIC Team

Aug 9, 2026 · 2 min read · 2 views

Return of migrants from Pakistan strains vulnerable communities in Afghanistan

Key Takeaways

•Return of migrants from Pakistan and Iran worsens Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis
•Malnutrition cases have doubled, affecting nearly 45% of the population
•Only 29% of areas received humanitarian aid recently, down from 37%
•Economic hardship forces families to sell livestock for survival

Afghanistan faces a growing humanitarian crisis as migrants return from Pakistan and Iran,worsening the situation. Malnutrition cases have surged, doubling in three months across country. This coincides with returnees flooding in, overwhelming already vulnerable communities.

Backed by United Nations, nearly half of surveyed areas reported receiving returnees from these neighbors . Disturbingly, 57 percent of them got no humanitarian help upon arrival, exposing a major gap in support.

From May 10 to June 7,over 12,800 key informants across 401 districts revealed severe healthcare access issues. A shocking 77 percent of areas reported shortages of essential medicines and equipment, while 59 percent said treatment costs are unaffordable for many.

Food insecurity is a huge problem, with 65 percent of areas calling it serious or very serious. Economic woes,like rising food prices and less aid, worsen household struggles. Report shows 55 percent of areas saw big food price hikes last month.

Panjshir,Faryab, and Laghman regions saw the biggest jumps in malnutrition — 89 percent,85 percent,and 83 percent,respectively. Assessment estimates about 21.9 million people,nearly 45 percent of Afghanistan's population, need dire humanitarian help.

Economic strain forces desperate choices. Key informants in 87 percent of areas noted more families selling livestock due to lack of income or food. A sign of desperation among struggling families.

Humanitarian aid has dropped, with only 29 percent of areas getting help in last three months, down from 37 percent in March . Aid gap widens as needs grow.

Climate shocks add to crisis,with drought causing displacement in 40 percent of areas. And 15 percent reported flood damage to homes, complicating life for displaced families.

Nearly six million Afghans,mainly expelled from Pakistan and Iran since September 2023, strain Afghanistan's fragile economy. John Aylieff,World Food Programme's Country Director for Afghanistan, stressed the severity of the situation during a Geneva briefing,stating forced returns worsen the already dire humanitarian landscape.

The challenges are many, with economic,social, and environmental factors creating perfect storm. As Afghanistan faces these crises,urgent humanitarian support is needed…

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