The Afghanistan region has generated tension at the United Nations (UN), which has sounded the alarm about a growing issue: population growth in conflict areas. This phenomenon has been triggered by the arrival of millions of Afghans forced to return from neighboring countries, such as Iran and Pakistan, and has caused population overload in the most vulnerable communities, worsening a region already facing the largest humanitarian crises on the planet. Geopolitical experts warn that the situation requires urgent attention from the entire international community.
The return of part of the population that has generated uncertainty
In September 2023, more than 2.4 million Afghans began returning to the country. This movement occurred both voluntarily and forcibly, primarily from the Afghan population that had previously lived in Pakistan and Iran due to the political and humanitarian crisis in the region. This influx of Afghans returning to their country is considered one of the largest return movements recorded worldwide in recent years, especially in this region.
Most of these people have arrived and set up new homes in small villages and towns, without any infrastructure to accommodate them in these communities. This often results in some of these people living in irregular and precarious situations. The problem has escalated to such an extent that some of these people had never even lived in Afghanistan before: they are children of refugees who were born in exile and now live in Afghanistan without permanent housing, employment, or access to basic services.
Local communities already live in a very difficult reality, dealing with extreme poverty and scarcity of resources on a daily basis. Now, with this new context, the impact is even more devastating. The hardest hit by this situation are women and children, who face additional risks to their lives, as the country has many social and economic restrictions that limit opportunities for this group of people.
Women and girls at greater risk
According to UN data, about half of the people arriving from Pakistan and a third of those arriving from Iran are women and girls. Many of these people have never studied or worked, and now they have just returned to an unfamiliar country under severe restrictions, making the situation very worrying. With the Taliban back in power, girls are not allowed to attend secondary school, and women are prohibited from practicing many professions.
An effort beyond capacity
In addition to the pressure and difficult situation in local communities, humanitarian workers working at the borders and in cities of return also face the challenges of this situation. Many women working in NGOs or UN agencies face difficulties in providing assistance to the population, as this segment of the population is also affected by the Taliban’s restrictive rules, one of which is the requirement to travel accompanied by a male guardian, limiting women’s autonomy.
Cuts in international funding to the country and cultural barriers have further weakened the aid network in Afghanistan. In some provinces, for example, there are insufficient resources to even guarantee the presence of full teams to assist the population. Huge lines have formed at these posts, in addition to delays and the inability to meet basic health needs.
The call for global support
The UN, alongside organizations such as CARE International and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), is seeking to mobilize the international community for increased funding and attention to this humanitarian crisis. Without increased primary care, supplements, and security, it will not be possible to provide a safer environment for this population.
In this context, women and children have borne the burden of having their future threatened by growing restrictions and vulnerabilities in the region. International solidarity, more than ever, is a fundamental factor in preventing this humanitarian crisis from lasting longer than it currently does. To reverse this situation, immediate action is needed.