UNHCR: Climate Impacts return and displacement in Afghanistan

August 2025

Afghanistan is among the countries most exposed to the impacts of climate change, where extreme weather and disasters are now surpassing conflict as the main drivers of displacement. This research brief, produced by Samuel Hall for UNHCR Afghanistan, explores how climate shocks shape the lives of Afghan returnees from Iran and Pakistan, often leading to secondary displacement and heightened vulnerability.

Drawing on lived experiences, the report highlights how water scarcity, fragile housing, and exclusion from community support systems deepen risks—particularly for women and children. It calls for climate-informed durable solutions, investments in adaptation, and inclusive planning to ensure return and reintegration efforts can withstand the realities of a changing climate.

Find full brief here