Border Crossing statuses: Open – Movement permitted in both directions. Partially Open – Movement permitted with restrictions. Closed – No cross-border movement permitted.

Departures from Türkiye involved over 24,034 Iranian nationals returning to Iran between 3 and 18 March, while 26,589 Iranians arrived in Türkiye during the same period. This current volume of movement remains notably lower than pre-conflict levels, when crossings from both sides averaged approximately 5,000 individuals per day.

While the number of Lebanese crossing into Syria has increased, the number of Iranians entering Türkiye has remained below the levels observed prior to recent developments. For many Iranian nationals entering under the 90-day visa-free short-term stay regime, these movements may reflect routine activities—such as tourism, transit to catch flights, or family visits—or represent precautionary and temporary travel as individuals assess the ongoing situation in Iran.

Afghan return figures are preliminary and expected to fluctuate upon validation on a weekly basis.

Syrians crossing the border include those who had planned to return before the conflict and others compelled to cross due to current conditions. 38,208 reported intending to return permanently.

According to the Government of Iran, between 600,000 to 1 million households are estimated to have temporarily left their homes to seek safety across the country. Using the average 3.2 family size provided by the most recent national census this amounts to 1.9 to 3.2 mililion individuals. Most Iranian households are temporarily fleeing from Tehran and other major urban centres, towards the north of the country and rural areas to seek safety.

Renewed hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan have resulted in new internally displaced persons in both countries, reflecting the humanitarian fallout of the escalating conflict. This rise in internal displacement stems from intensified crossborder air strikes and military operations that have been ongoing since late February 2026.

Escalating hostilities across Asia and the Middle East have led to a marked deterioration in the humanitarian situation. The affected areas already host 24.3 million forcibly displaced people, many of whom face significant protection risks and have substantial humanitarian needs, alongside vulnerable host communities. With limited funding, many countries are struggling to meet existing needs, making it increasingly difficult to absorb additional pressures and support newly displaced populations.

Against this backdrop, the escalation of hostilities since 28 February 2026 is placing increasing strain on humanitarian capacities and host communities. Protection needs are rising, alongside heightened risk of internal displacement, new cross-border outflows, and onward movements towards neighbouring countries. There is also a risk of increased returns of Afghans from neighbouring countries under adverse conditions. UNHCR is closely monitoring developments and strengthening preparedness efforts to support protection and the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to affected populations across these regions.

See Other Resources below for further information in country and regional Operational Data Portal.

UNHCR is leading cross-regional preparedness and response coordination for potential cross-border refugee movements, working with authorities, UN agencies and humanitarian partners. The Regional Bureaux for Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa, and Europe are working closely with country operations to monitor developments and advance preparedness and response planning.

Should a response be required, emergency financial aid would be the primary assistance modality, supported by systems already in place in Afghanistan, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Türkiye and through our global stockpiles and UNHCR’s mechanism to reinforce staffing capacity.

• Lebanon Operational Data Portal
• Iraq Operational Data Portal
• Syria Operational Data Portal
• Iran Operational Data Portal
• Afghanistan Operational Data Portal
• Pakistan Operational Data Portal
• Central Asia Operational Data Portal
• Afghanistan Situation Operational Data Portal