Cash and Civil Support for Recently Deported Afghan Families

Cash and Civil Support for Recently Deported Afghan Families

The project “Cash and Civil Support for Recently Deported Afghan Families” was carried out from 8 August 2025 to 8 December 2025 as a rapid emergency intervention funded by the DERF – Danish Emergency Relief Fund. The initiative was launched in response to a sharp increase in forced deportations from Iran and Pakistan, where Afghan families were returned with little to no warning—often without access to their belongings, savings, or personal documents. Many had lived or worked for years in neighbouring countries and suddenly arrived in Afghanistan without resources, networks, or any plan for their immediate survival.

Upon arriving in Herat Province, deported families found themselves in extremely vulnerable conditions. Some reached the Islam Qala border crossing after days of travel, while others were transported to Herat City by authorities without time to rest, orient themselves, or contact relatives. Many lacked access to food, water, medicine, or safe shelter. Women, children, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities were particularly at risk of homelessness, hunger, and exploitation in the days following their return.

To address this urgent situation, Rebuild Aid, in close collaboration with Saifrood Unity and Aid Organization (SUAO), launched a rapid humanitarian response combining cash assistance and civil documentation support. SUAO carried out registrations and needs assessments in both Herat City and Karokh District, identifying 280 deported families in critical need. Of these, 84 families were located in Karokh, where reception facilities were minimal and support networks scarce. The remaining 196 families were in Herat City, struggling to secure temporary housing or cover essential expenses such as food and transportation.

The project delivered cash assistance to all 280 families, enabling them to independently prioritize their most urgent needs during the first weeks. Cash proved crucial due to the diverse needs of the families—some required temporary accommodation, others needed medicine or transportation to their home provinces, while many lacked food or clothing for their children. This flexibility restored a sense of agency at a time when families had little control over their circumstances.

A key component of the project was civil support, especially for individuals without identity documents. Many deported individuals had lost their Tazkira (Afghan national ID card) during the deportation process. Without ID, individuals are effectively excluded from basic rights and services in Afghanistan, including healthcare, mobility, education, property rights, and access to humanitarian aid. SUAO therefore assisted 200 individuals in reapplying for or retrieving their Tazkira through local offices and government channels. This legal support was essential in stabilizing families’ situations and preventing deeper descent into extreme poverty.

The project demonstrated strong impact both in the short and long term. In the short term, it prevented homelessness, hunger, and neglect among the most vulnerable returnees. Cash assistance allowed families to make dignified and appropriate decisions based on their unique needs. In the long term, restoring ID documentation re-established access to rights, services, and the possibility of reintegrating into their communities.

The initiative highlighted the complex vulnerabilities facing deported Afghan families and the importance of combining financial relief with legal assistance. The response strengthened SUAO’s local capacity in civil documentation, protection, and humanitarian coordination, showcasing Rebuild Aid’s ability to deliver rapid, targeted, and meaningful support to people in a fragile transition from deportation to reintegration.

The collaboration between Rebuild Aid, SUAO, and DERF successfully prevented a deeper humanitarian crisis in both Herat City and Karokh District, giving 280 families a genuine opportunity to regain stability and dignity after a traumatic and forced return to Afghanistan.