Why Are There So Many Afghan Refugees in Pakistan?

Afghanistan bears the unfortunate distinction of having endured the longest-running refugee crisis in the world. It began in 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded the country. More than 400,000 people fled the violence and crossed over the border into neighboring Pakistan. Within a year, the number of refugees increased to nearly 4 million. 

In recent years, some Afghan refugees have returned to their home country. However, there are still more than 1.6 million registered Afghan refugees and almost a million more unregistered individuals in Pakistan, making it the second largest refugee-hosting country in the world.

The UN’s Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has set up a voluntary repatriation program that helps Afghan refugees return home, but only 8,000 individuals returned in 2019 compared to the nearly 400,000 Afghan citizens who were displaced that year on account of drought, conflict, and other natural hazards. 

While Pakistan has supported the Afghan refugees, there are certain refugee camps where families have been living for generations, often in unsanitary and dangerous conditions. Afghan refugees are allowed to move freely within Pakistan, but their access to education, work opportunities, and healthcare is sometimes limited.

The International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) is working hard to help Afghan refugees living in 11 camps in Pakistan gain access to clean water, sanitation, proper hygiene, and intensive care for COVID-19. We advocate for the rights of all uprooted people, including internally displaced persons, refugees, asylum-seekers, victims of human trafficking, and migrants, regardless of faith, race, ethnicity, or nationality. We need help in order to continue our work and achieve these crucial goals. You can find more information on how to get involved and help end this humanitarian crisis on our website.

About the International Catholic Migration Commission

The International Catholic Migration Commission is a nonprofit organization that protects, serves, and advocates for displaced people throughout the world. We help refugees, asylum-seekers, victims of human trafficking, and migrants of all faiths, races, and ethnicities forge lives in safety and dignity.

With support from people like you, ICMC delivers humanitarian aid and social development, protects vulnerable migrants, contributes to refugee resettlement efforts, advocates before governments, and partners with civic leaders. We seek a sustainable solution to dangerous migration and refugee crises.

Find out more by visiting our website.