Between mid-September 2023 and August 31, 2026, approximately 6.5 million Afghan nationals returned from Iran and Pakistan. This surge in returns was primarily driven by Pakistan's Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan (IFRP), initiated in late 2023, alongside similar policy and enforcement measures in Iran.

The large-scale return of Afghans from neighboring countries presents significant challenges for reintegration and humanitarian assistance within Afghanistan.

The influx of 6.5 million returnees adds to the existing humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, which already includes over 1.2 million internally displaced persons and nearly 865,000 refugees.

The specific humanitarian needs and vulnerabilities of the returning population are not yet detailed in recent reporting.