Aid organization:
Thousands of Afghans flee to Iran every day
Men wait in line to receive cash at a money distribution organized by the World Food Program (WFP). Photo: Bram Janssen / AP / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Thousands of Afghans have fled their country since the Taliban came to power. One of the destinations is Iran. An aid organization praises the refugee policy there – despite the lack of international help.
According to an aid organization, around 4,000 to 5,000 Afghans are fleeing the militant Islamist Taliban every day to Iran.
“Thousands of exhausted women, children and men cross the border from Afghanistan into Iran every day in search of safety,” said the Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Jan Egeland, on Wednesday during a visit to Iran. One could not expect that Iran would take in so many Afghans if the international community gave so little support.
“Aid must be increased immediately, both within Afghanistan and in neighboring countries such as Iran, before the deadly winter cold sets in,” said Egeland. The call by the United Nations Refugee Agency to support an estimated 515,000 Afghans who could flee to neighboring countries by the end of the year calls for nearly $ 300 million to be made available, according to the NRC. The call has so far only been financed to 32 percent.
At least 300,000 Afghans fled to Iran
It is estimated that at least 300,000 Afghans have entered Iran since the Taliban came to power. According to the information, around 3.6 million Afghans live in Iran. According to the NRC, a total of almost five million Afghans are on the run outside the country. Of these, 90 percent were taken in by Iran and Pakistan.
The number of people arriving continues to rise, according to the NRC. This trend could intensify when the Afghan winter comes. Even if not many Afghan refugees come to Europe yet, the rich countries should increase their aid and keep their borders open for refugees, said Egeland.
Iran: “One of the most integrative refugee policies in the world”
Iran, as one of the countries most affected by Covid-19 in the region, has had Afghan refugees vaccinated, the NRC reported. Afghan children could go to public schools regardless of their parents’ legal status. “This is an example of one of the most inclusive refugee policies in the world.”
The Taliban had taken power in Afghanistan in August before the planned withdrawal of western troops. The US-led Western military alliance had to leave the capital Kabul on a chaotic evacuation mission.