Nearly 8 million Afghans have migrated since 2020, with 85% moving to neighboring countries, primarily Iran, and around one million heading to Europe, according to a recent report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The report highlights that the migration rate from Afghanistan has surged, with a significant portion of Afghans seeking refuge in Iran. "Since 2020, nearly 8 million Afghans have migrated, with 85 percent moving to neighboring countries, predominantly Iran, and almost one million heading to Europe," the report states.

IOM statistics also reveal a high rate of returns from Iran in recent years. In 2023 alone, the IOM recorded nearly one million returns of asylum seekers, with 70% of them being undocumented and 60% forcibly returned. "The number of returnees from Iran remains consistently high. In 2023, IOM registered nearly 1 million returns, with 70 percent being undocumented and 60 percent forcibly returned," the report adds.

The primary reason cited by approximately 70% of migrants for their migration to neighboring countries is the lack of job opportunities in Afghanistan. Many of these migrants face significant challenges along illegal migration routes.

The report includes testimonies from migrants who have endured harsh conditions and abuse at the hands of smugglers. Jawed, a migrant from Nangarhar province, shared his harrowing experience: "They [smugglers] held us captive, beat us mercilessly with iron pipes, and pressured us to call our friends and families for more money."

Mirwais, another Afghan migrant who attempted to reach Europe through smuggling, cautioned others against trusting smugglers: "I urge the Afghan youth to not place their trust in smugglers promising safe passage. There are no shortcuts to a better life, and the dangers we face are often far greater than we can imagine."

The report also notes that children and women are among these migrants, underscoring the vulnerability of those who undertake these perilous journeys. (ILKHA)