At the Islam Qala border crossing between Iran and Afghanistan, a wave of humanity is shining through hardship. Young Afghan volunteer Fatima Rezaei is just 22 years old, but she’s already a beacon of hope. With her limited resources, she still finds ways to help thousands of fellow Afghans forced to return from Iran. She offers food, baby wipes, and hygiene products to families who now have nothing. “We don’t need to be rich to help,” she said. “Even with little, we manage—thanks to the kindness of Afghans here and abroad.”
Over 1.6 million Afghans, including children, have been sent back since the beginning of the year. Many were deported or pressured to leave Iran, which blames them for rising unemployment and crime. On July 4 alone, the number of returnees at Islam Qala surged to a record 50,000, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The crossing has become a scene of desperation, but also one of incredible solidarity.
Residents near the border have quickly mobilized. Donations have poured in from Afghans living in Europe and North America, enabling volunteers like Rezaei to distribute vital supplies. A journalist by trade, she travels over 100 kilometers from Herat to be on the front lines of this humanitarian effort. “The government tries,” she said, “but it’s not enough. So we must step in.”
Despite international support, groups like the UNHCR are struggling due to budget cuts. Taliban officials say they offer cash aid on arrival and are planning to build new towns for returnees. However, no timeline has been shared. Many deported families are sleeping in public parks in Herat, using tents given by locals, as they search for a way to start over.
What do these returnees need most right now? The simple answer is: jobs and support. Hussein, a father of two who lived in Iran for more than ten years, said, “We had jobs and good lives there. But they told us our documents weren’t valid anymore. Now, we must begin again from scratch.” Still, he was touched by the help offered back home. “People were kind. They gave us food, comfort, even a free bus to Kabul.”
Even those without jobs are offering what they can. Hosna Salehi, an unemployed young woman, joined her parents’ charity, Khan-e-Meher, to provide baby formula and essential items. “Many mothers can’t produce milk due to stress,” she shared. “We must do what we can—whether it’s big or small.” Another volunteer, 27-year-old Omid Haqjoo, is trying to build a culture of volunteering by cooking meals for returnees in massive pots. He hopes others will follow his example.
According to the World Bank, half of Afghanistan’s 48 million people live below the poverty line. Yet, this crisis has awakened a new sense of community. Ahmadullah Wassiq, head of Afghanistan’s High Commission for Refugees, said the government “can’t do it alone” and praised citizens for their support. He added that such actions “must be applauded.”
At the end of a long day under the hot sun, Salehi reflected, “Helping others has taught me a life lesson. If I can do this, anyone can.” Her final thought? “When people thank me or smile at me, that’s all the reward I need.”