Jan Egeland meeting Afghan refugees in Iran in November 2013.
The modern history of Afghan migration to Iran started in 1979 with the Soviet Occupation of Afghanistan. Since then, Afghan migration to the country has continued unabated, primarily motivated by the direct and indirect effects of war, insecurity, unemployment and inflation in Afghanistan.
The Government of Iran has for three decades been hosting one of the world’s largest refugee populations with minimal international financial support. However, a rise in unemployment and inflation in Iran has made many uncertain about their future.
“Afghan refugees don’t know whether Iran will host them as generously in the future as in the past, and they don’t know whether the year 2014 is the year where they can return [to Afghanistan] after foreign forces leave,” Egeland says in the video.
When speaking to NRC’s beneficiaries in Karman, Iran, Egeland found that many Afghans wish to return home, but that the security situation in Afghanistan complicates the matter.
“They tell us that they’re eager to go back, but those who have returned tell them there is great insecurity in Afghanistan at the moment,” Egeland says.
In Egeland’s view, the solution is a greater regional effort to improve the situation for displaced Afghans and make conditions better for those who do wish to return home.
“We have to do better, all of us in the international community, to help them with not only better services in Iran and Pakistan, but really with more hope for the future in Afghanistan. Many can and should return home but then we need to have a better offer for them in Afghanistan,” Egeland says.
“[Return] has to be voluntary and we have to realise that many will not return home,” he says.
NRC in Iran NRC has been working in Iran since 2012. With the support of ECHO and other donors, NRC provides access to livelihoods, educations services, shelter, water and sanitation services to almost 10,000 Afghan refugees living in Iran. NRC’s programme is seeking to reinforce the coping strategies of vulnerable Afghan refugees living in Iran and their capacity to take informed decisions prior to return. NRC also has programmes for displaced Afghans in Afghanistan and Pakistan.