Arafat Jamal, a representative of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) in Afghanistan, has returned from Islam Kala some time ago. He told the UN News that Iran-Israel’s conflict that lasted for 12 days, the arrival of people returning to Afghanistan.
About five thousand Afghans were returning to their country every day, but in recent times the number has reached 30 thousand.
The UN agency representative said in an interview that Afghan refugees and asylum seekers are returning to a poor, deprived country who are not able to support them.
Iran had Afghan women and girls’ education and employment equipment, but with ‘extra gender injustice’ in Afghanistan, these opportunities would now become impossible.
Arafat Jamal was outraged that “the country of Iran and Pakistan should be found out of peace in Afghanistan and face the wave of their return. Most of the population has taken refuge in these two countries over the past few decades.”
The UN refugee agency is involved in meeting the borders of the Afghan people, crossing the borders – food, water, shelter, protection. Also, they are being provided financial support, health and legal services are provided and assisting to join the society again.
Representatives of the UN refugee agency in Afghanistan are meeting the Afghans crossing Arafat Jamal (left) Islam Kala border.
However, according to UN representatives, due to money discounts, “our programs have had a difficult impact.” The level of cash assistance has been reduced to $ 156 per family by two thousand dollars, which has made the families very difficult to bring their lives back to the track.
“We are lagging behind because of this money. We can’t help enough women and we are also damaging the local community too.”
This interview has been edited for clarity and bravity.
UN News: What is the situation on the borders of Afghanistan and Iran currently? Has the violent conflict in Iran increases the number of people returning to Afghanistan?
Arafat Jamal: I recently returned from Iran to the boundary and the situation there is that people returning to Afghanistan are arriving. After passing through 12 -day war experiences in Iran, the Afghans have returned to their homes significantly, of which many cases will be removed.
Prior to this conflict, an average of 5,000 people (Iran-Afghanistan) were crossing the border in one day, but in recent times the number reached about 5,000. This means the border situation is disrupted, people are being taken out of the country for seven days, twenty -four hours.
People are coming on the bus and sometimes on five buses get there with their families. They are shocked, upset, tired and hungry. This border situation. The situation has become more serious because of the war, but I want to say that it is part of the already moving trend. Even before Iran, Afghan refugees were returning to their country, some of which were voluntarily returned, but a large part of the people were removed.
UN News: How prepared is the local administration and inspection centers to support such a large number of returns?
Arafat Jamal: From this point of view, the infrastructure is already installed and so there is no need for some new preparation. As much as Afghanistan is concerned, they are not recognized (international), but I want to say that he and Afghanistan have welcomed their brothers who returned from Iran and Pakistan to every way.
It’s not a feeling that is just called. The same is actually happening. I did not see a case where people were not welcomed. And it is being made in the context of a country where according to the UN Development Program (UNDP), 5 percent of the population is capable of surviving in any way.
Therefore, in my view, this is a remarkable example of generosity. Also, the desire to start the wounds to cure and accept people returning home.
Afghan people returning from Iran on the Islam Kala border in Herat, Afghan Afghanistan.
UN News: What is the need for people to return to their country of population? Especially women, children and other weak groups.
Arafat Jamal: When people reach the border, they need to meet their basic human needs. Food, water, sleep and sleep shelter.
But when we think from a long -term perspective, the situation is the other. Many people are Afghanistan, but they are not here. Many were born in Iran. Those who were not born are different from the local population of Afghanistan.
I met some of the people who came back, who were the first graphic designers. I met a lot of women who had employment, income. Even a couple who have never come to Afghanistan before.
Their main relationship is from the Dikundi located in the remote region. What will all these people come back to the deficit country? How do they live? His return to a country is a big challenge, which is not ready to take them back.
You have mentioned the situation of women and girls. This is a matter of great concern for us. We know the condition of gender wrongdoing in this country very well. People returning from Iran are accustomed to a system where boys and girls are taught, where Afghan women also get employment.
However, all these people are now returning to a country where it is no longer possible. This is a matter of serious concern for us. Then we are concerned with the preservation of some special background people. Minorities are returning, there are some people who were associated with the past governments and they are women too. Therefore, we are doing full observation so that in the case of conservation, the requirements can be taken care of.
Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan are being advised at a health center.
UN News: You told about the situation on the border of Iran-Afghanistan. What is the situation on the border of Pakistan, where the return of Afghan refugees began from October 2021?
Arafat Jamal: It is a tragic evidence of the fate of this country that even after the end of peace, it has been forcibly sent from Pakistan and Iran, or the Afghan refugees who have returned from there have to face a wave.
Since the introduction of Pakistan in 2021, we have seen that 1 million Afghans have returned to their country in this delicate situation. Pakistan has also removed the country and some people are returning voluntarily. It continues and reaches the highest level in April (2025).
At present, on average, thousands of people are reaching the borders of Afghanistan every day. We are concerned about the deadline scheduled by July 1, then Pakistan has said that the process will also be started for people, including refugee registration card (POR).
We are preparing for this, and there is also discussion with the Pakistani government so that some flexible positions can be taken.
Due to frequent turmoil in Afghanistan, the larger population is facing poverty.
UN News: All this is happening when there is a large cut with financial support for the purpose of humanitarian assistance. How does it affect the effectiveness of the UN refugee agency? What is your message for international communities in this difficult time?
Arafat Jamal: It (discount) has greatly affected our programs. I would like to tell you two examples: a one is giving the cash grant to the Afghan families returning to the border, which is about $ 2,000 for a family. It depends on the size of the family.
In Afghanistan, two thousand dollars, including this big hiccup, is enough. For about 46 percent of the population of cash grants, this is a way to re -establish the country.
In other words, they could buy land for themselves, even in the smaller businesses can be helped in the age of infection so that people are able to stand on their feet.
However, due to financial support, we are now able to provide only 1/7 assistance. That is, we have now reached $ 156 per family per family. Even in countries like Afghanistan, $ 156 doesn’t matter.
With this amount, a person can only survive in the initial requirements of one or two weeks. It does not help bring life back to track. Therefore, one of the major results of reducing the amount of assistance is that you are not creating situations for stability.
A woman is being taken to a wheelchair on the Torakham border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Second, you talk about women and girls. I’ll give you an example. We have been able to do great work for women and girls despite the current challenges and people across the country.
For example, we have only created a three -storey mall for women in the Harta City, located in the western. We trained 400 midwives. We have supported countless women to start small business.
It was made by the strict rules of the country and the prisoners, since we had financing for this work, which was possible not only to reach women, but also to provide assistance for men, which is ready to contribute courage to our projects.
Without this amount, they are now lagging behind. We are unable to help adequate women and we are also harming communities who have suggested hosting these projects, in many cases who have encountered morality police and others, so that they are able to assist the people. This is a huge shock for all of us.