5.4 million Afghans have returned since October 2023, pushing the country to the brink, the UN refugee agency says. Pakistan and Iran launched crackdowns in October 2023, expelling migrants and urging departures, triggering a massive influx into Afghanistan. This represents 12% of the population, overwhelming a nation already facing drought, earthquakes, and economic collapse. 2.9 million returned last year alone, the largest single-country return in UNHCR history.

Afghan authorities provide minimal aid packages, but resources are critically strained. The Taliban government criticizes the expulsions, which have forced families into negative coping mechanisms like skipping meals or selling possessions. The UN Development Programme reports nine out of ten families in high-return areas now resort to these survival strategies.