In mid-2025, Afghanistan experienced a significant wave of returnees from Iran. Thousands of individuals and families crossed daily through the Islam Qala border, seeking safety, stability, and reintegration into their home communities. The sudden increase in arrivals created immense pressure on humanitarian services, including registration, food, shelter, water, and transportation.
Recognizing the urgent needs, SAFE Organization responded by mobilizing its professional volunteers to assist the Directorate of Returnees and Repatriation (DoRR). Our aim was to ensure that returnees were received with dignity and that the heavy influx did not overwhelm existing structures.
From July 4th to August 4th, 2025, SAFE deployed a 15-member volunteer team, working in close coordination with DoRR and other humanitarian partners.
Key Activities Implemented:
24/7 Registration Support
Our volunteers worked in continuous 24-hour shifts to support the official registration process. Each team member registered an average of 300 families per day, helping to significantly reduce waiting times and ensuring returnees were not left stranded at the border.
Help Desks for Returnees
SAFE established three help desks inside the reception area. These desks provided clear information, direct guidance on documentation, and answers to urgent questions. For many families, this was their first point of contact and reassurance after long and difficult journeys.
Coordination of Essential Services
Beyond registration, SAFE volunteers coordinated with local authorities and humanitarian actors to improve access to transportation, drinking water, and food distribution, especially during evening and night hours when most arrivals occurred.
Humanitarian Presence & Protection
SAFE’s presence at the border was not only technical but also humanitarian. Our volunteers assisted elderly people, women-headed households, and children in navigating the crowded reception points, ensuring priority support for the most vulnerable.
Over the course of one month:
✅ Thousands of families were registered more quickly and efficiently.
✅ Returnee flows were better managed, preventing long delays and overcrowding.
✅ Vulnerable groups such as widows, children, and elderly returnees received direct assistance.
✅ Coordination between DoRR, local actors, and NGOs was strengthened through SAFE’s support.
This initiative was widely recognized as a practical example of community-driven humanitarian response—where local NGOs fill critical gaps with dedication and professionalism.
Despite the strong results, the operation faced significant challenges:
📉 Limited financial resources, which restricted SAFE’s ability to continue beyond one month.
⏳ High workload on staff, as daily arrivals exceeded expectations.
🚍 Logistical gaps in transport, food, and water services during night hours, which SAFE repeatedly advocated to improve.
Due to funding shortages, the project concluded on August 4th, 2025. However, SAFE has communicated its readiness to resume operations immediately if new resources are made available.
SAFE remains committed to supporting dignified return and reintegration of Afghan returnees. Our experience at Islam Qala demonstrated that local organizations, with limited resources, can deliver impactful and timely support when positioned at critical entry points.
We continue to call upon donors, partner NGOs, and government bodies to:
Strengthen support for border reception centers.
Ensure night-time services (transport, food, water) are prioritized.
Partner with SAFE for field-level humanitarian action based on transparency and local expertise.
SAFE Organization is always open to partnerships for humanitarian work at border points and in returnee communities.
📞 +93 797 919 535
✉️ info@safeorganization-af.org | nasir.mohiq@safeorganization-af.org
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