Here’s What’s Happening With the Mass Expulsion of Afghans from Pakistan
Photo: Ebrahim Noroozi / AP
Afghans have suffered mass displacement for nearly 5 decades, starting with the Soviet invasion in the 1970s and ‘80s, which sparked civil war in the ‘90s, and paved the way for 20 years of U.S. occupation and the subsequent Taliban handover.
On October 3rd, 2023, Pakistan gave migrants and refugees without residence papers only 28 days to leave the country or face arrest, detention, and forcible expulsion.
The situation is further exacerbated by the Pakistani government restricting those being expelled to bring the equivalent of only $178 USD of their own money upon leaving; in effect dispossessing many of their hard-earned wealth, homes, belongings, and businesses.
Since November 1st, hundreds of thousands have been forcibly removed from their homes, arrested, and detained in police stations before being sent to chaotic and overwhelmed border camps.
It is estimated that by the end of the year, there will be a total of 750,000 forcibly displaced.
According to the United Nations, 60% of Afghans threatened by Pakistan’s mandate to expel migrants and refugees are children.
Upon entering Afghanistan, families are moved to makeshift camps ill-equipped for the harsh winter. With little food, money, and prospects for permanent housing, many will be left destitute; further exacerbating the existing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, in which 30 million are already in need of aid and protection.
In the midst of this large-scale displacement, Uplift remains unwavering in our commitment to helping Afghans.
Nobody deserves to be forced to suddenly leave their home—their life, their livelihood—behind. Right now, we are focusing on the immediate needs of those most vulnerable—children, the elderly, and women—who are being forced across the border into Afghanistan just ahead of a harsh winter with limited funds and, in some cases, little to no ties to the country. Our primary focus as a humanitarian organization is to ensure that people are safe and have access to food and shelter while we assess the situation and plan for more permanent and sustainable solutions.
