Post by : Naveen Mittal

Afghan Returnees Struggle Amid Economic and Climate Crises

At the Islam Qala border in western Afghanistan, the wind blows hot and dusty, carrying sand that sticks to the skin. The temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius, making the earth feel like burning iron. Families arriving here from Iran and Pakistan wait in the little shade they can find. Mothers try to shield their children with scarves as they look for help.

For many Afghans, this is their first sight of their homeland after years of living abroad. But instead of hope, they find themselves entering a land filled with difficulties — no jobs, no homes, and very little support.

The Return of Millions

Since September 2023, more than four million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan. In 2025 alone, nearly 1.5 million people have been forced back. At the same time, nearly 350,000 Afghans were displaced inside the country in the first four months of this year due to fighting, poverty, or climate-related disasters.

This sudden wave of returnees is placing a heavy burden on Afghanistan’s already weak economy.

The Situation in Iran and Pakistan

In Iran, Afghans had played an important role for many years. They worked in construction, farming, and factories. Their work was essential to Iran’s economy. But now, after being expelled, they are struggling to survive back in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has also sent back large numbers of Afghan refugees. Many of these families had lived there for decades, with children who grew up speaking Urdu as their first language. Now they must begin a new life in a country that feels unfamiliar.

A Mother’s Struggle

Maryam, a widow with two children, returned to Afghanistan after living in Iran for six years. She has kidney problems, but her greatest sorrow is watching her 15-year-old son, Sadeq, search for work instead of studying.

Sadeq secretly dreams of returning to school, but he hides this wish from his mother so she will not worry. For Maryam, this hidden dream weighs heavier than her illness. She says, “Now I have nothing — no job, no home, and no one to turn to.”

Stories like Maryam’s are common across the country. Families who once had some stability abroad are now facing poverty and uncertainty.

Economic Challenges in Afghanistan

The World Bank’s 2025 Development Update says Afghanistan’s economy is still very weak. Unemployment is high, and with the return of so many people, finding work has become nearly impossible.

By 2030, an estimated 1.7 million more young Afghans will enter the workforce. Without proper skills training and job opportunities, many will be forced to leave the country again, repeating the painful cycle of migration.

Support Programs for Returnees

International organizations are trying to help, but their efforts are limited. Since 2024, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has trained nearly 3,000 returnees and displaced people in new skills. They have also supported more than 2,600 small businesses, about 22 percent of which are run by women.

These businesses have created nearly 12,000 jobs, with more than 4,200 for women. This support has brought dignity and stability to some families, but it is only a small part of what is needed.

Experts say that with more funding, such programs could grow larger and prevent people from leaving the country again in search of survival.

The Impact of Climate Change

Afghanistan is also facing the harsh effects of climate change. Droughts, floods, and rising temperatures have damaged farms, destroyed homes, and displaced thousands of families. Agriculture, which is the backbone of the Afghan economy, is suffering badly.

For returnees who hoped to survive by farming, climate disasters have made their situation even worse. Many cannot grow enough crops to feed their families, let alone sell in the market.

The Human Cost

Behind the numbers and statistics are human stories — children leaving schools to work, families selling their belongings for food, and women struggling to support households alone.

The returnees not only face financial problems but also emotional pain. After years abroad, many feel like strangers in their own homeland. They lack homes, social connections, and safety nets.

The Road Ahead

Afghanistan’s government, aid groups, and international community face a difficult challenge. Without urgent investment in job creation, education, and climate resilience, millions of Afghans may again be forced to leave the country.

For now, the returnees wait in dusty camps, uncertain of what tomorrow will bring. Their dreams of stability remain distant, but their courage to survive reflects the strength of ordinary Afghans in the face of overwhelming hardship.