Afghans: Displacement and Resilience

Arshad Mehmood

Amid a Cycle of Displacement and return, Afghans navigate a harsh reality, torn between seeking refuge abroad and enduring the challenges of life under Taliban rule.

According to the latest report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the period between July and September 2024 saw at least 786,769 Afghan citizens leave their homeland, marking a significant shift in migration patterns.

During the same period, 973,696 individuals entered Afghanistan, highlighting the complexity of ongoing cross-border movements between Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. These migrations are not just numbers on a chart—they reflect the difficult choices made by hundreds of thousands of individuals and families, influenced by a web of socio-economic, security, and healthcare factors.

The IOM report, titled “Mobility Dynamics at Afghanistan’s Borders”, provides a detailed analysis of this cross-border movement. The organization interviewed scores of people at 11 major border crossings with Iran and Pakistan to better understand the motivations driving the surge in mobility.

Between July and September 2024, over 786,000 Afghans left their homeland while nearly 974,000 entered, reflecting complex cross-border movements influenced by socio-economic and security factors.

The reasons cited in the report include a search for economic opportunities, access to healthcare, family reunification, and safety concerns. As Afghanistan continues to grapple with political instability and economic challenges, its citizens are often forced to migrate in search of a better future, or simply to survive.

The International Organization for Migration report emphasizes that many Afghans leaving the country are in search of employment opportunities that Afghanistan, still struggling with economic stagnation, is unable to provide. Afghanistan’s economy has faced severe contraction since the Taliban took control in 2021, exacerbated by international sanctions, a lack of foreign aid, and limited avenues for growth.

This has pushed many Afghans to seek better economic prospects in neighboring countries. Iran, despite its economic woes, remains a key destination, with 3.75 million Afghans residing there as of September 2024. Pakistan, with 2.05 million Afghans, is another critical destination for Afghan migrants, especially given its proximity and historical ties.

Access to healthcare remains one of the primary drivers of migration, particularly to Pakistan. Despite the higher costs associated with healthcare services in Pakistan, Afghan medical travelers continue to cross the border in large numbers.

Economic stagnation and inadequate healthcare in Afghanistan are pushing many citizens to migrate to neighboring countries like Iran and Pakistan in search of better opportunities.

Afghanistan’s healthcare system, which remains underfunded and stretched thin, is unable to meet the needs of its population. Hospitals in Pakistan, especially in cities such as Peshawar and Quetta, have become major hubs for Afghans seeking medical treatment for chronic illnesses, emergency care, and surgeries.

Pakistan’s medical facilities, despite the financial strain it imposes on Afghan families, provide a level of care that is often inaccessible within Afghanistan itself.

This cross-border healthcare dynamic not only showcases the deep interdependence between Afghanistan and Pakistan but also underscores the critical role migration plays in access to essential services. As millions of Afghans continue to grapple with the healthcare challenges in their homeland, migration remains one of the few viable options to ensure access to treatment.

Family reunification is another significant factor in the migration patterns. The decades of conflict in Afghanistan have resulted in widespread displacement, with families often scattered across borders.

For many, these migrations are necessary to maintain family ties and provide support for relatives living in different countries. At the same time, safety concerns continue to push individuals to leave Afghanistan in search of more secure environments in neighboring countries, particularly as localized violence and instability persist.

The report highlights the immense Afghan migrant populations that have taken refuge in neighboring countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan. Both nations have long histories of hosting Afghan refugees, with numbers continuing to rise in recent years.

Nearly six million Afghans now reside in these two countries alone, a staggering figure that illustrates the enduring nature of Afghanistan’s refugee crisis. This trend has also intensified the strain on the already fragile infrastructure and economies of Iran and Pakistan, as both countries face growing pressure to manage these large populations while dealing with their domestic challenges.

Earlier this year, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced that Afghans now constitute the world’s largest refugee population, surpassing Syrians. This shift in global refugee demographics reflects the severity of Afghanistan’s crisis, with no clear resolution in sight for the millions who have been displaced.

In response to the growing number of undocumented Afghan refugees, Pakistan took a decisive and controversial step in September last year by announcing plans to deport around one million Afghan nationals living illegally within its borders. The move was met with strong criticism from the United States, other international actors, and the United Nations.

Despite this, Pakistan’s government defended its decision, pointing to security concerns. Pakistani authorities argue that, based on cautious estimates, Afghan citizens have been involved in a substantial number of terrorist incidents in the country. Islamabad claims that this action is necessary to safeguard national security.

Since the announcement, Pakistan has already deported approximately 700,000 Afghans, and the process continues. In many cases, deportations have taken place under harsh conditions, with human rights groups raising concerns about the treatment of those being sent back to Afghanistan.

 Pakistan’s decision also coincides with ongoing tensions between the Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani government, as security incidents along the border remain a point of contention.

Following Pakistan’s lead, Iran also decided to repatriate Afghan refugees, an equally controversial move. Deportations from Iran have been taking place daily, as both Tehran and Islamabad aim to reduce the number of Afghan refugees within their borders.

The dual efforts from these two countries have raised alarm among international human rights organizations, as they question the humanitarian impact of sending refugees back to a country still grappling with violence and instability.

Amidst these developments, the Afghan Taliban continue to assert that they are not engaging in any form of mistreatment or retaliation against groups or individuals within Afghanistan. They claim that there is no targeted persecution and that the country is safe for all citizens, including those returning from abroad. However, reports from international organizations, including those under the umbrella of the United Nations, present a starkly different picture. These reports point to ongoing human rights violations, especially against women, ethnic minorities, and individuals perceived as opponents of the Taliban regime.

The ongoing deportations of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran raise serious humanitarian concerns amid a backdrop of political instability and human rights violations under Taliban rule.

This latest report from the IOM and other UN agencies directly contradicts the Taliban’s position, exposing the hardships faced by returning migrants and the broader challenges of living under Taliban rule.

For many Afghans, the reality on the ground remains one of uncertainty, as they are forced to navigate the difficult balance between staying in a fragile homeland and seeking refuge abroad.

The International Organization for Migration report sheds light on the complex dynamics of migration at Afghanistan’s borders, underscoring the dire conditions that compel millions of Afghans to leave their homes while others return despite the challenges.

As the humanitarian situation continues to evolve, the fate of Afghan refugees remains deeply intertwined with the political and security landscape of the region. With no immediate solutions in sight, the ongoing movement across borders will continue to shape the future of Afghanistan and its people.

Arshad Mehmood is a conflict zone journalist with extensive experience covering the US-led invasion of Afghanistan. Associated with a prestigious American news agency, The Media Line USA. He is a highly experienced journalist with a proven track record of covering inland and across-the-border terrorism and counter-terrorism narratives and incidents. (https://themedialine.org/) Most of his news stories published in The Media Line are also featured on JPost.com, a major media outlet in the Middle East. He can be reached via @RajaAajtv on social media.