Timely Security Planning Enables Humanitarian Access Amid Returnee Influx in Western Afghanistan

The ongoing mass influx of Afghan returnees from Iran has placed significant pressure on humanitarian operations in Western Afghanistan. Daily crossings at Islam Qala Border Point have surged to between 16,000 and 22,000 individuals, following the expiry of Iran’s deportation deadline on 6 July and escalating regional tensions. Despite the scale of the emergency, humanitarian delivery has continued without major incident—enabled in part by early security planning by UNDSS.

From 16 to 18 March 2025, the UNDSS Principal Security Adviser (PSA) for Afghanistan, Mr. Robert Marinovic, led a mission to Security Area West to strengthen coordination and prepare for an anticipated spike in returns. The visit focused on both the Islam Qala and Torghundi border crossings and addressed operational vulnerabilities amid dual challenges: the forecasted returnee influx and ongoing recovery efforts following the 2023 earthquakes.

At Islam Qala, the PSA team engaged with De Facto Authorities (DFA), Afghan Border Police, and humanitarian partners, including IOM and UNHCR implementing agencies. The visit reinforced the need for unified coordination, protection planning, and cross-border preparedness. In Torghundi, the team assessed emergency logistics and WFP food supply routes, underlining the strategic role of the crossing for continued aid delivery.

The March mission also identified coordination gaps within the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS), recommended integrated risk assessments, and strengthened inter-agency collaboration under the Saving Lives Together (SLT) framework.

As the current influx intensified, UNDSS deployed a Senior Security Information Analyst and Field Security Assistant to Herat and Islam Qala from 1 to 8 July. The team conducted field assessments, engaged with key stakeholders including the Department of Refugees and Repatriation (DoRR) and DFA officials, and supported the secure coordination of humanitarian operations.

UN agencies—UNHCR, IOM, WFP, UNICEF—and partners have since scaled up their response, supported by UNDSS through movement planning, security briefings, and Physical Vulnerability Assessments (PVAs) to identify safe accommodation for staff. The ongoing response demonstrates the importance of early engagement, strategic foresight, and security coordination in maintaining access and enabling life-saving assistance under complex and fluid conditions.