The relentless wind in Herat, Afghanistan, blows stinging dust that clings to the skin as the temperature soars to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), turning the area into a scorching furnace.
As children are waited for assistance, families huddle in small, shaded areas, and wear scarves to protect their faces.
Many people’s first glimpse of home after years of exile are portrayed by this harsh environment.
More than four million Afghans have left Iran and Pakistan since September 2023, with almost 1.5 million of them coming from Afghanistan alone in 2025. In addition, nearly 350, 000 Afghans were internally displaced within the first four months of the year, according to International Organization for Migration (IOM) data. This includes cross-border migration and internal displacement.
This widespread movement is primarily caused by the worsening economic environment and the growing climate change effects.
Afghans were essential to Iran’s economy by playing crucial roles in agriculture, manufacturing, and construction. They were not just temporary workers. Iran’s workforce has experienced significant gaps since their departure, and Afghan residents who return are in deep uncertainty.
Maryam, a widow with two children who had been living in Iran for six years, says, “Now I have nothing to turn to. I have no job, no home, and no one to turn to.”
Despite having kidney issues, Sadeq, her 15-year-old son, finds work to be her greatest source of pain rather than school. To prevent his mother from worrying more, he keeps his educational goals a secret. This unspoken dream weighs more than any physical condition, according to Maryam.
According to the World Bank’s 2025 Development Update, Afghanistan’s economy is still in its precarious state.
An estimated 1.7 million more young people are expected to enter an already overcrowded labor market by 2030 due to the massive influx of returnees. Many people may be forced to relocate again without making significant investments in entrepreneurship, job creation, and skill development.
Nearly 3, 000 returnees, internally displaced people, and members of the host community have received skills training since 2024 from IOM. More than 2,600 women-owned businesses have also been supported by the organization, which has created almost 12, 000 jobs, of which over 4,200 are women-owned, out of which 22 percent are women.
Although these initiatives provide significant stability and dignity, they only provide a small amount of what is required. IOM can improve stability, lessen the risk of repeat migration, and assist returningees in regaining dignity with more funding.
Source: Aljazeera
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