Herat, Afghanistan – At the Islam Qala border crossing, gusty winds whip fine dust across the terrain as temperatures climb to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), turning the earth into a blistering expanse. Families cluster beneath small patches of shade, children shielding their faces with scarves while waiting for aid.
For many, this grueling environment marks their first encounter with home after years abroad. Since September 2023, over four million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan, with nearly 1.5 million repatriated in 2025 alone. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), around 350,000 Afghans were displaced during the first four months of the year, including both internal movements and cross-border departures.
This large-scale displacement is driven largely by worsening economic instability and intensifying climate-related disruptions. Afghans in Iran were not just temporary laborers; they formed a crucial part of the workforce in construction, farming, and manufacturing sectors. Their exit has weakened Iran’s labor supply, while returnees now confront deep uncertainty in a country ill-equipped to absorb them.
“Now I have nothing – no job, no home, and no one to turn to,” says Maryam, a mother of two who spent six years in Iran. Despite dealing with kidney illness, her greatest distress comes from seeing her 15-year-old son, Sadeq, looking for work instead of attending school. He hides his desire to study to avoid burdening her further. For Maryam, this silent sacrifice is more painful than any physical condition.
Afghanistan’s economy remains fragile, as highlighted in the World Bank’s 2025 Development Update. The surge in returning citizens has worsened job scarcity, with projections indicating that 1.7 million more young people will enter an already strained labor market by 2030. Without major investments in vocational training, entrepreneurship, and employment programs, many may feel compelled to leave again.
Since 2024, IOM has delivered skills training to close to 3,000 returnees, internally displaced individuals, and members of vulnerable host communities. It has also backed over 2,600 small enterprises—22 percent led by women—creating nearly 12,000 jobs, including more than 4,200 for women. While these efforts bring meaningful relief and restore a sense of dignity, they fall far short of the scale required. With increased financial support, IOM could expand its reach, enhance long-term stability, and lower the chances of repeated migration.
— news from Al Jazeera
— News Original —
Photos: Afghan returnees struggle amid economic and climate crises
Herat, Afghanistan – At the Islam Qala border, the relentless wind carries stinging dust that clings to skin as temperatures soar to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), transforming the ground into a scorching furnace. n nFamilies huddle in narrow strips of shade, children protecting their faces with scarves as they await assistance. n nFor many, this harsh landscape represents their first glimpse of home after years in exile. n nSince September 2023, more than four million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan, almost 1.5 million of them in 2025 alone. Simultaneously, International Organization for Migration (IOM) data reveals nearly 350,000 Afghans were displaced within the first four months of the year, including internal displacement and cross-border migration. n nThis mass movement stems primarily from deteriorating economic conditions and escalating climate change impacts. n nIn Iran, Afghans were not merely temporary workers; they were vital to the economy, filling essential roles in construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. Their departure has created significant gaps in Iran’s workforce, while those returning face profound uncertainty in Afghanistan. n n“Now I have nothing – no job, no home, and no one to turn to,” says Maryam, a widow with two children, who had lived in Iran for six years. n nDespite suffering from kidney problems, her greatest pain comes from watching her 15-year-old son, Sadeq, search for work instead of attending school. He keeps his educational aspirations secret to spare his mother additional worry. For Maryam, this unspoken dream weighs heavier than any physical ailment. n nThe World Bank’s 2025 Development Update indicates Afghanistan’s economy remains precarious. n nThe massive influx of returnees has intensified unemployment pressures, with an estimated 1.7 million additional young people expected to enter an already overwhelmed labour market by 2030. Without substantial investment in skills development, entrepreneurship, and job creation, many may be forced to migrate again. n nSince 2024, IOM has provided skills training to nearly 3,000 returnees, internally displaced people, and vulnerable host community members. The organisation has also supported more than 2,600 businesses — 22 percent of which are owned by women — helping to generate almost 12,000 jobs, including over 4,200 for women. n nWhile these initiatives bring crucial stability and dignity, they represent only a fraction of what is needed. With increased funding, IOM can provide greater stability, reduce repeat migration risks, and help returnees rebuild dignified lives.