Pakistan — Flow Monitoring of Afghan Returnees — Bi-Weekly Report (1 – 15 October 2024)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Pakistan’s FM provides key insights into the overall migration trends of Afghan nationals returning to Afghanistan, as well as an overview of the profiles of Afghan returnees and their mobility patterns, exploring routes, vulnerabilities, demographics and social characteristics. Between 1 and 15 October, DTM border monitors (BMs) interviewed 515 heads of households through a Flow Monitoring Registry (FMR) form, while 11,513 Afghan returnees were identified through five border crossing points (BCPs) (see map 1). For more information on FM methodology, see page 5.

HIGHLIGHTS

• During this reporting period, DTM teams have observed an increase of eight per cent in returns compared to the last two weeks of September 2024.
• Cumulatively, from 15 September 2023, 746,330 individuals have returned to Afghanistan. Thirty-four per cent (255,439 individuals) of this total have returned since 1 January 2024.
• Most of the returnees are undocumented Afghans (83%), followed by PoR holders (15%) and ACC holders (2%).
• Compared to previous reporting periods, fewer Afghans cited fear of arrest (62%) as a reason for returning, while the inability to pay rent (51%) and utilities (47%) has grown in significance.