Urgent: 800,000 Afghan Refugees Facing Expulsion by March 2026 – What You Need to Know

In a significant development regarding undocumented Afghan refugees, Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni announced that an additional 800,000 undocumented Afghan refugees are expected to return to their homeland by the end of the current Iranian calendar year, which concludes on March 20, 2026. This initiative is part of Iran’s ongoing efforts to manage its refugee population, with over 1.2 million illegal Afghan refugees already deported since the beginning of the current Iranian year.

Momeni elaborated that more than 70 percent of these refugees returned voluntarily, a testament to the government’s approach in handling the situation. The majority of these individuals have exited through the borders situated in the Khorasan Razavi province. The minister reiterated Iran’s stance, emphasizing that the nation is not anti-immigrant and is currently hosting approximately six million foreign nationals.

In a statement made in July, Momeni remarked, “We are only deporting the two million Afghans who are illegally residing in Iran. These are honorable people who have contributed to the country’s production. Based on regulations, unauthorized refugees must leave the country. If they wish to live here, they have to follow legal procedures.”

According to Nader Yar-Ahmadi, head of the National Organization for Migration, there have been no alterations in the residency status or the services available to documented Afghans living in Iran. In fact, as illegal nationals depart, documented refugees are expected to receive enhanced services, as reported by IRNA.

The implications of illegal immigration are significant, as Yar-Ahmadi noted that the presence of undocumented migrants often leads to various challenges. In critical situations, they may be viewed as the primary suspects in incidents, and their presence can adversely affect the economy, social dynamics, and security of the host country.

Services Provided to Refugees at Borders

The Ministry of Health has outlined a comprehensive array of services available to refugees, particularly in regions such as eastern South Khorasan, northeastern Khorasan Razavi, and southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan provinces. These services include:

• Establishment of health camps: Health facilities have been set up to cater to the medical needs of refugees.
• Screening of communicable diseases: Measures to detect and manage health risks among the refugee population.
• Provision of safe water and sanitation: Ensuring access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation facilities.

According to the health ministry’s website, both permanent and temporary camps have been established for medical screenings and services, which include:

• Injections and serum therapy: Administering necessary medical treatments to acute patients.
• Extensive disease screening: Implementing syndromic screening for 14 contagious diseases and ongoing water and food sampling.
• Disinfection of drinking water: Ensuring safe drinking water through rigorous disinfection processes.

Furthermore, the ministry has focused on improving infrastructure, increasing access to safe drinking water, and enhancing sanitation facilities. Key efforts include:

• Environmental hygiene management: Proper management of infectious waste in camps.
• Disease prevention monitoring: Ongoing surveillance to curb the transmission of diseases like Malaria and Cholera (El Tor).

The health ministry has made significant strides in managing health referrals, with more than 5,000 individuals receiving health services during peak times. They have also bolstered the capacity of health camps by improving human resources, equipment availability, and logistics support. This includes ensuring the immediate provision of essential items like medicines, disinfectants, and personal protective equipment.

In conclusion, Iran’s proactive measures in managing the undocumented Afghan refugee crisis reflect its commitment to humanitarian care while navigating the complexities of immigration. Through enhanced services and a focus on health and safety, the Iranian government aims to balance the needs of both documented and undocumented refugees in the country.