The international organization Save the Children has recently announced that more than 80,000 Afghan children returned from Iran to Afghanistan during the month of June this year. In a published report, the organization stated that this number has doubled compared to the previous month, placing Afghanistan’s service infrastructure on the brink of collapse. Save the Children emphasized that 6,700 of these children were unaccompanied, and about 39% of them were forcibly returned from Iran. The report adds that following the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel on June 25 (5th of Saratan), more than 36,000 people entered Afghanistan from Iran in a single day. The report also quotes Samira Sidrahman, Advocacy Manager at Save the Children, as saying: “Many families arrive with only what they can carry. They are tired, frightened, and worried.” She further added: “The international community must not turn a blind eye to this situation. The time has come to take serious steps to save Afghan children and their families.” The report mentions that in response to the situation, two child-friendly support centers have been established in Herat to provide psychosocial services and safe play spaces for children. Recently, Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF’s Regional Director for South Asia, also stated that thousands of children are entering Afghanistan daily through Islam Qala and that they are in urgent need of assistance. This comes as just a few days ago, the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) warned that the forced deportation of Afghan migrants would destabilize the region and beyond. The agency wrote that over 1.2 million Afghan citizens were forced to return from Iran and Pakistan in 2025, further exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis inside Afghanistan.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has recently announced that over nine million people in Afghanistan are living in informal settlements. In a report released today (Wednesday, July 2), the program stated that most of these individuals reside in vulnerable areas with limited or no access to clean water and health services. The report also highlighted the large-scale return of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, noting that many returnees are forced to live in informal settlements. According to the report, four out of every five urban residents live in informal housing. The report further states that the urban population currently stands at 30 percent, and it is projected to rise to 50 percent by 2060. Despite these challenges, UN-Habitat emphasizes the need to support the most vulnerable, strengthen resilience, and address climate change. Meanwhile, Iran and Pakistan have significantly increased the deportation of Afghan migrants this year, revoking the residency documents of millions. The Islamic Republic of Iran has declared the "Census Forms" of about two million Afghan migrants invalid. After two visits to offices known as “Kafalat Offices,” these individuals are issued exit permits. In recent months, deportations of Afghan migrants from Iran have intensified, with most of the deportees being families who had lived in Iran for many years.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has warned that the forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan is destabilizing the region and beyond. In a statement, the agency noted that returns to Afghanistan must be voluntary, safe, and dignified. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees emphasized that over 1.2 million Afghan citizens have been compelled to return to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan in 2025, exacerbating the existing humanitarian crisis within Afghanistan. The organization added that more than 366,000 Afghan citizens have returned from Iran this year. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has raised concerns about the significant increase in the return of Afghan citizens under difficult conditions from Iran to Afghanistan. According to UN estimates, more than half of Afghanistan's population depends on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs. The statement mentioned that the UN High Commissioner for Refugees is committed to providing immediate and long-term support to returnees in collaboration with its international partners. The statement quoted Arefat Jamal, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees representative in Afghanistan, as saying that thousands of Afghan citizens are returning to their country under unfavorable conditions. Arefat Jamal called for "immediate and substantial funding to ensure sustainable reintegration and prevent cyclical displacement both within the country and across borders," emphasizing that only 23% of the required funding has been secured so far. According to UN data, in the past week, Iran has deported over 88,000 Afghan migrants from the country.

As the expulsion of Afghan migrants from Iran increases, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) states that women and girls returning to their country are concerned about the situation. The UNHCR has published a report indicating that Iran has intensified the expulsion of migrants in recent weeks, with thousands being sent back to Afghanistan daily. Arefat Jamal, head of the UNHCR office in Afghanistan, who visited the Islam Qala border in Herat province, stated that many Afghans are "terrified and worried" about returning to their country. Mr. Jamal emphasized that these concerns are much greater among women, as they are being returned to a country where they have been deprived of even the most basic rights, including the freedom to move around. The head of the UNHCR office said, "I was right at the border between Iran and Afghanistan, where thousands of Afghans are returning under dire conditions. Afghan families are becoming displaced once again, arriving with minimal belongings, exhausted, hungry, and terrified of what awaits them in a country many of them have never even set foot in. Women and girls are particularly worried because they fear restrictions on freedom of movement and fundamental rights such as education and employment." According to UN data, in the past week alone, Iran has expelled over 88,000 Afghan migrants from the country, Iran has been home to the largest number of Afghan migrants.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has recently stated that women and girls in Afghanistan are currently facing significant challenges. In a statement, the program noted that restrictions on education and employment have severely limited opportunities for many Afghan women and girls. The statement also mentioned that some have turned to informal work to support themselves and their families. While these roles are vital, they are often carried out without formal support or long-term stability. It is worth noting that the UN Women also reported on June 16, 2024, that 8 out of every 10 young Afghan women are deprived of education, schooling, and employment. According to the UN Women’s 2024 report on Afghanistan’s gender index, Afghan women and girls have fallen behind global human development standards following the takeover of the country by the de facto authorities. The report indicated that Afghanistan has the second largest gender gap in the world, with 76% inequality between men and women in areas such as health, education, financial access, and participation in decision-making. Since regaining control of Afghanistan, the de facto government has imposed widespread restrictions on the fundamental rights and freedoms of women, banning them from education and employment. As a result, millions of school-aged girls have been deprived of education. In addition, women have been banned from going to gyms, restaurants, public bathhouses, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working with both domestic and international NGOs, as well as with UN agencies in Afghanistan.

The Women and Children Research and Advocacy Network has reported that over 90% of women and girls in Afghanistan have lost their jobs following the rise of the caretaker government, and that the restrictive decrees have led to the exclusion of women from nearly all aspects of life. In a newly released report, the Network states that the current government's decrees have caused psychological and economic distress, increased violence, and deprived women and girls of education. According to the statement, the research titled “The Impact of the Caretaker Government's Decrees on Women and Girls in Afghanistan” was conducted between October 2024 and March 2025 in the provinces of Balkh, Kabul, Badakhshan, Herat, Nangarhar, Wardak, Ghazni, Ghor, Logar, and Bamyan. Findings from the research indicate that 36% of women and girls have experienced psychological, economic, physical, and sexual violence, while 65.4% have witnessed violence against women. However, due to lack of legal support, fear of escalation, family concerns, and limited social support, most victims remained silent. The Canada-based network also reported that more than 95% of women and girls are deprived of the right to travel without a male guardian or use public transportation. These restrictions have fueled poverty, despair, increased domestic violence, and the social isolation of women and girls. The network has called on the international community to recognize gender apartheid in Afghanistan. While this organization criticizes the restrictions, the caretaker government, since its return to power, has imposed widespread limitations on women's fundamental rights and freedoms, banning them from education and employment. As a result, millions of school-age girls have been denied access to education. In addition, women have been barred from going to gyms, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic and international NGOs, as well as even UN offices in Afghanistan.

Sima Bahous, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of its Women’s Division, states that achieving peace in Afghanistan is impossible without the meaningful and inclusive participation of women and girls in political processes. Ms. Bahous made these remarks at a United Nations Security Council meeting regarding the situation in Afghanistan, noting that since she began her role as Executive Director of the UN Women’s Division, conditions for Afghan women and girls have worsened, and not a single one of the restrictions imposed by the interim government has been lifted. She emphasized, "In the midst of this escalating crisis, the pleas of Afghan women and girls to the international community not to forget them have often gone unanswered." She added that despite numerous Security Council resolutions supporting female aid workers and their unhindered access to women in Afghanistan, the ability of the UN and its partners to provide services to women has been severely undermined. Additionally, this UN official mentioned that the current government's restrictions have made "the safe employment of female aid workers and even access to affected women more difficult than ever." Sima Bahous expressed her commitment to supporting Afghan women, stating that this international organization will do everything in its power to help these women overcome endless limitations. Ms. Bahous also referred to the recent Afghanistan Gender Index report published by UN Women last week, indicating that one-third of the country's population, particularly women and children, face malnutrition and hunger. She described the restrictions against the rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls as more than just a crisis, labeling it as "harmful to a generation." The Executive Director of UN Women warned that Afghan women and girls must not be marginalized, asserting that the legitimacy and sustainability of any agreement or outcome depend on their meaningful, safe, full, and equal participation. She further urged the Security Council to actively support ongoing efforts to hold the current government accountable.