UNHCR Afghanistan Situation Regional Update August 2026

Countries: Afghanistan, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Pakistan Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached file. Operational Context In Afghanistan, pressure on reception and reintegration services remained high in August, despite lower return numbers than in July. Nearly a year after the nationwide ban on national female UN staff accessing UN premises was introduced, the restriction remained in place, while tighter restrictions in Herat disrupted protection and community activities. At Torkham, customs checks delayed the movement of families’ belongings until the suspension was lifted on 24 August. Renewed border tensions on 28 August prompted humanitarian teams to temporarily relocate to Omari camp, with operations resuming the following day. These restrictions and disruptions constrained humanitarian access and required sustained engagement with the de facto authorities to maintain support for people in need. In Iran, renewed conflict and heightened security measures in August raised concerns over wider regional escalation. Economic pressures, including disrupted trade, currency depreciation and rising food prices, further reduced household purchasing power and livelihoods. UNHCR and partners continued to monitor emerging protection and assistance needs and adapt responses as required. In Pakistan, insecurity, access restrictions and monsoon-related flooding affected operations in August, particularly in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, alongside continued Afghan returns. Conditions varied across the country, with security constraints and localized disruptions affecting access and requiring operational flexibility. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, localized disruptions affected movement and access in some areas. In Islamabad and Punjab, refugees and asylum-seekers continued to face protection concerns, including mobility restrictions, arrest and detention, police harassment, extortion, limited access to livelihoods and basic services and landlord evictions. In Sindh, reported arrests and deportations of Afghan nationals decreased although enforcement actions against undocumented Afghans continued. In Balochistan, security and movement restrictions also continued to limit humanitarian access to the former Mohammad Khail refugee village and refugee settlements in Chaghi. ¹ As of end-December 2025 ² As of 31 August 2026 ³ 3.2 million IDPs as of 2025, and 69,000 new IDPs in 2026 from areas reached with assessments. For the latest figures and updates on UNHCR’s broader response in sub-region, visit the Afghanistan Situation page on UNHCR’s Operational Data Portal. For any queries, please contact: RBAPEXT@unhcr.org
2026-09-29 10:03:09