The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has received a €3.5mn contribution from Italy, through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), to support humanitarian assistance for Afghan returnees.
The funding comes as forced returns of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan continue to rise. Both countries have announced plans to resume mass deportations in 2025, increasing humanitarian needs at Afghanistan’s borders and in high-return provinces.
The 12-month initiative aims to assist over 25,000 undocumented returnees by providing humanitarian, protection, and health support through IOM’s eight reception and transit centers along the Iran and Pakistan borders.
The project will also enhance data collection through IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), using Flow Monitoring Surveys at various border crossings to improve targeted aid efforts by IOM and its humanitarian partners.
“IOM’s continued partnership with Italy has been crucial in reaching thousands of Afghan returnees and other vulnerable communities,” said Miah Park, IOM Afghanistan Chief of Mission. “With this renewed support, we can address urgent challenges at the borders and in areas of high return, where communities are struggling to absorb the growing numbers of returnees,” Park added.
In 2024, IOM registered over 1.3mn Afghan returnees, with nearly 67% forcibly deported, while providing humanitarian aid to more than 429,000 vulnerable individuals through its transit centers.
