The Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan: Refugee Crisis and IDPs

For more than four decades, Afghanistan has been trapped in a cycle of conflict, making it one of the most protracted and complex humanitarian crises in the world. Afghanistan’s combination of ongoing conflict, extreme poverty, and climate change has caused widespread displacement, both within its borders and beyond. The consequences of this prolonged crisis are felt most acutely by refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), groups that have borne the brunt of the country’s instability. The roots of Afghanistan’s refugee crisis can be traced to the Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989), which led to the mass displacement of millions of Afghans, primarily to neighboring countries such as Pakistan and Iran. The subsequent civil war (1992–1996) and the Taliban regime (1996–2001) worsened the situation, displacing even more people. The US-led invasion in 2001 and the ongoing conflict between the Afghan government and the Taliban have only prolonged the displacement crisis. Today, Afghanistan is one of the largest refugee-producing countries in the world, with nearly 6 million people having fled since the 1980s. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that more than 2.5 million Afghan refugees are currently registered worldwide, most of them in Pakistan (1.4 million) and Iran (780,000). The refugee crisis in Afghanistan is characterized by several challenges. Protracted displacement has meant that many Afghan refugees have lived in exile for decades, often across multiple generations. These refugees frequently face limited access to basic services, such as healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities, making it difficult for them to build stable lives in host countries. Additionally, many Afghan refugees are undocumented, which leaves them at risk of statelessness and vulnerable to exploitation in their host countries. In addition to the refugee crisis, Afghanistan is home to a large population of internally displaced persons (IDPs), with over 4 million people displaced within their own country. These IDPs have fled their homes due to conflict, violence, or natural disasters, but remain within Afghanistan’s borders. The IDP crisis is marked by conflict-induced displacement, particularly in rural areas, where fighting between the Afghan government and the Taliban has displaced entire communities. IDPs often struggle to access humanitarian aid, especially in remote areas, due to both logistical challenges and security risks. Moreover, IDPs are highly vulnerable to exploitation by armed groups, human traffickers, and other criminal elements, given their lack of protection and resources.

The humanitarian response to the refugee and IDP crisis in Afghanistan is coordinated by the UNHCR, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These organizations provide emergency assistance, including food, shelter, and healthcare, to displaced populations. They also support longer-term solutions, such as voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement, to help refugees and IDPs rebuild their lives. Additionally, humanitarian agencies advocate for policy changes to ensure better protection for refugees and IDPs, including the adoption of refugee-friendly policies and greater access to humanitarian aid in conflict zones. However, several challenges continue to hinder effective humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. Funding constraints are a major obstacle, as humanitarian organizations often lack the resources needed to fully address the needs of displaced populations. Access constraints, especially in conflict-affected and remote areas, further complicate the delivery of aid. Security concerns are also a significant barrier, as areas controlled by armed groups or affected by violence are often inaccessible to humanitarian workers, putting both aid recipients and workers at risk. Despite these challenges, there are opportunities for innovative solutions to improve the humanitarian response. Technology-based solutions, such as mobile cash transfers and digital identity verification, could help streamline aid distribution and improve efficiency. Furthermore, community-based solutions, such as the “No One Leaves, No One Is Left Behind” initiative and Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), empower local populations to take ownership of their own humanitarian needs and responses. Partnerships and collaborations among governments, humanitarian agencies, and the private sector can also enhance the effectiveness of the response by fostering resource sharing, expertise exchange, and greater influence. Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis is deeply entrenched and requires a durable, coordinated response. The refugee and IDP crises are part of a larger pattern of conflict and instability that must be addressed at their root causes. Governments, humanitarian organizations, and the private sector must work together to enhance humanitarian access, increase funding, and support durable solutions, such as voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement. Ultimately, the resolution of Afghanistan’s crisis hinges on a long-term commitment to peace, stability, and development. Addressing both the immediate needs of refugees and IDPs and the underlying causes of displacement will be crucial for creating lasting solutions and a better future for those affected by this ongoing crisis.

The author Hina Majid holds a master’s in International Relations from the University of Sargodha, Pakistan and is an independent researcher.