Afghanistan faces its worst humanitarian crisis in a decade; forced returns, natural disasters and Systematic repression of women.

Afghanistan today stands at the center of a human storm. Millions of forcibly returned refugees, women erased from public life, families left homeless after devastating earthquakes, and collapsing public systems; all point to a crisis that is no longer merely "an emergency," but a slide toward total human collapse.

In 2025, the country faces an unprecedented escalation of its humanitarian crisis, one that according to a 15-page report by the Global Protection Cluster (GPC) released on October 31 is now considered "one of the most severe humanitarian emergencies in the world."

 the report warns that compared to last year, humanitarian needs in Afghanistan have not decreased; instead, they have expanded dramatically due to a combination of internal and external factors.

Three Main Drivers of the Crisis

The GPC identifies three key factors behind the worsening situation.

1. Mass forced returns of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan
2. Frequent and devastating natural disasters including earthquakes, floods, and droughts
3. Systematic violations of human rights, especially the severe restrictions imposed on women and girls in education, employment, and public participation

Since the beginning of this year until the end of September, nearly 2.8 million Afghan refugees have returned from Iran and Pakistan; most through forced or unplanned deportations. This large-scale movement has placed enormous strain on Afghanistan`s already fragile infrastructure and on host communities, pushing the demand for shelter, water, food, healthcare, and livelihoods to critical levels.

In parallel, the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on August 31, particularly in Kunar province, caused widespread destruction killing more than 2,200 people, injuring around 4,000, and completely destroying some 7,000 homes. Hundreds of families remain without adequate shelter, living in fragile and unsafe tents as harsh conditions approach.