More than 11,500 Afghan refugees returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan, Iran, and Tajikistan between May 3 and May 9, 2026, according to a new report released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The report highlights the significant demographic impact of the returns, noting that women and children make up a large proportion of those coming back to Afghanistan during this period.
Women and Children Form Majority of Returnees
UNHCR data shows that 55 percent of the returnees were women, while 56 percent were children. In addition, 41 percent of returning households were headed by women, underlining the vulnerable conditions many families are facing.
Humanitarian Concerns Persist
The report comes amid ongoing concerns about Afghanistan’s fragile humanitarian situation, with returning families often facing challenges related to housing, employment, and access to basic services.
Aid agencies continue to stress the need for sustained international support to help reintegrate returnees and address the broader pressures on Afghanistan’s already strained social and economic systems.
