The overall situation inside Afghanistan deteriorated in 2021 and has had significant consequences for the most vulnerable among the population. Some 3.25 million people are currently internally displaced by conflict, over 1 million IDPs have returned to their places of origin, and 1.6 million new arrivals have been witnessed in neighboring countries. UNHCR is responding to this emergency, with needs outlined in a regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) and Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). Iran and Pakistan, which are neighbours of Afghanistan, also host some 2.1 million registered Afghan refugees, and other Afghans with different statuses. The majority of registered refugees fled Afghanistan over the years, including from as early as 1979. While 6.2 million refugees returned to Afghanistan in phases since 2002, this trend has been declining in recent times with just over 6,500 people choosing to return in 2022. Since August 2021, UNHCR has maintained a non-return advisory for Afghanistan (reaffirmed February 2023), calling for a halt on forced returns of Afghan nationals. On this page you will find updates on UNHCR's work in support Afghan IDPs, refugees and returnees. Links are also provided below for the individual UNHCR country operation pages for additional information.