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Return of Undocumented Afghans - Weekly Situation Report (9 - 15 April 2017)

Countries
Afghanistan
+ 2 more
Sources
IOM
Publication date
Origin
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Highlights

8,428 undocumented Afghans returned from Pakistan

12,851 undocumented Afghans returned from Iran

33,026 total returns from Pakistan since 1 January 2017

87,843 total returns from Iran since 1 January 2017

66% of returnees from Pakistan (5,600 individuals) assisted

4% of returnees from Iran (477 individuals) assisted

Situation Overview

IOM is responding to a substantial increase in the return of undocumented Afghans from Pakistan and Iran. Since 1 January 2017, over 120,000 undocumented Afghans have returned due to diverse push factors, including deteriorating protection space in Pakistan.
Most of those returning have lived outside of Afghanistan for decades, and will need support from the government and humanitarian actors both on arrival and as they seek to reintegrate.

As the rate of return is influenced by a number of political, security and other related factors both in Afghanistan and neighboring countries, another surge in returns could occur at any time. IOM estimates that approximately 500,000 undocumented Afghans could return from Pakistan and Iran in 2017, and is working to scale up its support to returnees in coordination with the Government of Afghanistan and other humanitarian partners.