The new wave of expulsions of Afghans from Pakistan could jeopardize thousands of families

At the end of March, the Pakistani authorities announced a resumption of expulsions of Afghan immigrants living on their territory. International aid organization Action Against Hunger (ACF), working on both sides of the border, warns of the effects of such a measure, which could worsen the situation of returnees, and calls on the authorities in Pakistan to respect the principle of non-refoulement. 

Since September 2023, Pakistan has deported 550,000 Afghans. Among them are people of all ages, women, men, children, and the elderly. Some had lived in Pakistan for only a few years, while others have been born there without knowing their country of origin.

The bordering Helmand province in Afghanistan has already taken in 16.057 individuals. Action Against Hunger teams have set up an emergency response by distributing cash so that returnees can meet their basic needs, such as food and non-food items, including clothing. 

“Many people said they had only a few days to leave their homes in Pakistan, so they arrived in Afghanistan with the bare minimum. They need everything: transportation support, food, mattresses, rental support for their stay in temporary settlements with host communities before they move to their place of origin,” explains Vijay RAGHAVAN, Country Director of Action Against Hunger in Afghanistan. “The Afghan economy is very weak and is on the verge of collapse, and the country lacks the resources to accommodate these individuals, especially in light of the potential for renewed expulsions. As per the information from the previous round of returnees in the last quarter of 2023, the greater number of returnees, women and children, are highly vulnerable. This makes it a Protection Emergency.“

On the other side of the border, in Pakistan, Action Against Hunger teams provide health, nutrition, and mental health services to the Afghan population living in Balochistan. Today, the organization works in two districts of the province, supporting four health centers and providing psychosocial support where communities struggle to access critical services such as health care or access to livelihoods. 

Action Against Hunger continues to work on both sides of the border and witness the Afghan population’s rising humanitarian needs. The humanitarian organization reiterates its call for respect for the principle of non-refoulement in order to protect the most fundamental rights of any migrant or refugee.