In brief
The IOM reports that over 1.3 million Afghans have returned in 2026, a sharp rise that intensifies strain on housing and basic services. The cold weather adds urgency as the IOM urges donors to fill an $8.8 million gap. The influx underscores the need for emergency shelter, winterization kits, and essential household items.
In early October 2026, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced that over 1.3 million Afghans had returned from Iran and Pakistan, a figure that is markedly higher than in the previous year. The influx has already begun to stretch housing and basic services in Afghan communities that were struggling to cope with the demands of displaced families, the Xinhua news agency reported on Friday.
Mihyung Park, IOM’s Chief of Mission in Afghanistan, emphasized that families are coming back to “communities where housing and basic services are already under severe strain.” He added that the arrival of winter heightens the urgent need for shelter and warmth, warning that “snow cuts access to remote areas.”
The accelerating wave of returns has tripled the pressure on civil infrastructure, according to the agency. Park called for additional funding to close an 8.8‑million‑U.S.‑dollar inter‑agency gap that would allow the IOM to deliver emergency shelter, winter‑ization kits, and essential household items before severe weather isolates vulnerable groups. The organization is appealing to donors for a rapid infusion of resources to mitigate the emerging crisis.
Winter in Afghanistan is already marked by harsh weather conditions that can quickly isolate remote villages, making timely support crucial. The IOM’s appeal reflects a broader concern that the influx of returnees could overwhelm a system that is already stretched thin, especially with internally displaced people who remain in precarious conditions.
The agency stresses that without immediate donor support, the situation could deteriorate, compromising the safety and well‑being of both newly returnees and those who have been living in displacement for years. The urgency is compounded by the fact that many locations lack adequate basic services, and the added demand could lead to shortages in food, water, and healthcare.
