'I've never been to Afghanistan': Six million deportees forced to start over under the Taliban
The elderly grimace, hobbling on crutches, and wide-eyed children stare, cradling chickens carried from homes they were forced to leave behind.
TL;DR
- Six million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran in under three years.
- Deportations have intensified, targeting undocumented migrants and even registered Afghans.
- Returnees face extreme hardship, including lack of food, shelter, and employment opportunities.
- Many deportees have never lived in Afghanistan and express fear for their future, especially women and girls.
- Humanitarian organizations are struggling to provide adequate assistance due to the immense scale of the crisis and international aid cuts.
- The Taliban government acknowledges the need for help but faces international isolation due to restrictions on women's rights and ongoing sanctions.