Afghan Exodus: Understanding The Displacement Crisis

Afghanistan has been one of the world's largest refugee-producing countries for over 40 years. Since the 1978 Saur Revolution and the 1979 Soviet invasion, waves of Afghans have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, violence, and poverty. Neighbouring countries Iran and Pakistan have hosted the majority of Afghan refugees, with over 2 million registered Afghan refugees in total. Other countries that have welcomed large numbers of Afghan refugees include Germany, Turkey, India, Italy, France, Austria, Sweden, and the United States.

Iran and Pakistan host the most Afghan refugees

Iran and Pakistan have hosted the majority of Afghan refugees since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. In 1990, there were 6.3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran. By 2000, this number had risen to over 6 million.

The Islamic Republics of Iran and Pakistan continue to host the majority of Afghan refugees globally. They provide over 2 million registered Afghan refugees with access to their national health and education services, as well as other support. Since the start of 2021, government estimates suggest that at least 1.6 million Afghans have arrived in neighbouring countries.

In 2023, Pakistan's Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti ordered that all undocumented immigrants, particularly the nearly 1.73 million Afghan nationals, voluntarily leave the country by 1 November 2023 or face deportation. This has led to widespread abuses against Afghans living in Pakistan to compel their return to Afghanistan. Police and other officials have carried out mass detentions, seized property and livestock, and destroyed identity documents to expel thousands of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers.

Iran has also pledged to deport Afghan migrants without proper documentation. In recent years, the Iranian government has slowly introduced policies to increase the provision and renewal of Amayesh cards, which grant registered refugees conditional freedom of movement, temporary work permits, and access to the national education and healthcare systems. However, the renewal process has been difficult since the arrival of a large number of Afghans following the Taliban takeover. A lack of documentation creates numerous challenges for Afghan refugees in accessing medical services, education, and livelihood opportunities, further exposing them to the risk of arbitrary arrest and involuntary return, as well as movement restrictions.

The US admitted refugees from the UAE

The US admitted more than 10,000 Afghan refugees from the UAE, which became a temporary host to them on behalf of other nations. However, this process has not been without its challenges. As of August 2022, nearly 12,000 refugees remained in the Abu Dhabi facility, with protests breaking out over the slow and opaque resettlement process and the living conditions. The protests resurfaced in October 2022, with refugees stating that they are "psychologically suffering" in the Emirati facility.

The US government has responded to this crisis by launching Operation Allies Welcome, which provides Afghan nationals with humanitarian parole status and a pathway to temporary admission into the country. This status is granted for a period of 2 years, with individuals also receiving employment authorisation. However, it is important to note that this pathway does not automatically lead to lawful permanent resident status or a Green Card.

The US Department of State continues to receive and process referrals for Afghans eligible for consideration under the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). This program includes the Afghan Priority-2 (P-2) Program, which serves as a pathway to resettlement for qualified Afghans, including those who worked with the US government and US-based media organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The USRAP also includes Priority-1 (P-1) and Priority-3 categories, which facilitate the resettlement of individuals with compelling protection needs and the reunification of families, respectively.

Afghan refugees arriving in the US receive initial resettlement assistance from resettlement agencies and community groups. This assistance includes help with securing housing, finding jobs, enrolling in school, and accessing basic necessities such as food and clothing. Additionally, the US Department of Health and Human Services provides longer-term services and assistance to Afghan parolees, refugees, and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders.

Canada resettled thousands of Afghans

Canada has been at the forefront of providing refuge to Afghans, especially those who are vulnerable and facing retribution by the Taliban. The Canadian government has been working closely with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to safely resettle Afghans in the country. Since August 2021, the IOM has supported the resettlement of more than 40,000 Afghan refugees in Canada, with the number reaching 30,000 in March 2024. This has been achieved through the coordination of resettlement flights, assistance with the application process, and the provision of pre-departure health assessments and orientation sessions to prepare Afghans for their new lives in Canada.

Canada was among the first countries to launch a special humanitarian resettlement program for vulnerable Afghans, including women leaders, human rights defenders, persecuted ethnic and religious minorities, members of the LGBTQI+ community, journalists, and those who supported Canada's mission in Afghanistan. The Canadian government's commitment to this cause is evident in their pledge to welcome at least 40,000 Afghan refugees, a promise they have successfully fulfilled.

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Canada's Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, acknowledged the significance of this achievement, stating that welcoming 30,000 Afghans is a "significant achievement" and a testament to the dedication of their partners. He further emphasized Canada's determination to help as many vulnerable Afghans as possible and provide them with a new home and the support they need to thrive.

Canada's efforts to resettle Afghan refugees have been widely recognized, with IOM Director General António Vitorino commending the country's role in providing a new home for tens of thousands of vulnerable Afghans. The IOM has been instrumental in coordinating flights, assisting with applications, and providing essential pre-departure support to ensure a smooth transition for Afghan refugees.

Canada's response to the Afghan refugee crisis demonstrates its commitment to supporting those in need and promoting human rights, particularly for vulnerable groups facing persecution under the Taliban regime.

Uganda hosted 2000 Afghan refugees

Uganda has a long history of welcoming refugees and is currently home to around 1.3 million people. The East African nation has the largest number of refugees in any country in Africa and the third largest in the world.

On 17 August 2021, the Ugandan Government announced that it would host 2000 Afghan refugees at the request of the US government. Uganda's minister for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees, Esther Anyakun, told the country's Daily Monitor newspaper that President Yoweri Museveni had granted a request by the US to let them stay in Uganda for three months, after which the US would relocate them.

The first group of 500 Afghans was expected to arrive on 18 August 2021, but officials said discussions about the arrangements were still ongoing. The refugees were expected to be brought in batches of 500 to Entebbe, where the UNHCR secured Imperial Hotels for their arrival and screening. The US covered the costs of the refugees' stay in Uganda, including testing for Covid-19 before they were sent to isolation centres.

Among the refugees expected in the country were exiled officials who had served in the government of ousted Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Minister Anyakun said that some of the refugees were diplomats and senior government officials who could not stay in refugee camps.

Afghans face difficulties in safe harbour countries

Afghans have been facing difficulties in safe harbour countries, with many struggling to find affordable housing and jobs. The transition to life in these countries has been difficult, with some refugees reporting that they feel alone and unsupported financially.

Housing and employment challenges

Refugees in the US have faced challenges in finding affordable housing, particularly in regions where Afghans prefer to live, such as California and Northern Virginia. The lack of housing supply has driven up rents across the country, making it difficult for refugees to transition to their new lives.

Job-hunting has also been a major stressor for Afghan refugees, who often have to change their career paths due to language barriers and a lack of local experience and qualifications. The process of finding employment is made even more challenging by the absence of financial support from the host country governments.

Historical context

The challenges faced by Afghan refugees today are not new. For almost four decades, Afghanistan has experienced conflict, natural disasters, chronic poverty, food insecurity, and, most recently, a change in government authorities. As a result, millions of Afghans have been forced to leave their homes and seek shelter within and beyond the country's borders.

Since 1978, the vast majority of those displaced from Afghanistan have fled to neighbouring Iran and Pakistan due to geographic proximity and the presence of functional labour markets. Nearly 6 million Afghans fled to these countries between 1979 and 1989, and the numbers have fluctuated with each intensification or weakening of the conflict. Smaller numbers have also sought refuge in India, Turkey, and Europe.

Current situation

Today, more than 8 million Afghans have been driven from their homes, and at least 3.2 million are displaced within their own country. As of 2023, there were at least 8.2 million Afghans hosted across 103 different countries, with the majority living in Pakistan and Iran.

The prolonged nature of the crisis has put a strain on the resilience of Afghans and their host communities. The impact of the conflict on women and children has been particularly devastating, with fundamental rights threatened and many children missing out on their education. Malnutrition rates remain extremely high, and the country is facing acute food insecurity.

International response

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international organisations have been providing vital support to vulnerable Afghans, both within Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries. This includes emergency shelter, food, health, water, sanitation, and cash assistance.

However, the declining financial support for these organisations and the push from host countries for refugees to return home have made it difficult to address the mounting needs of Afghan refugees adequately. As a result, Afghan refugees continue to live precariously, facing an uncertain future.

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