Understanding Climate Change: Its Impact on Displacement and Return in Afghanistan – Research Insights (May 2025)

Afghanistan faces significant challenges from extreme weather and natural disasters. Since August 2021, these factors have become the main reasons people are displaced, even more than conflict. Let’s explore how these climate impacts affect returnees in Afghanistan.

Vulnerability in Returnee Populations

Many returnees struggle to reintegrate due to their lack of information about current conditions. Many have spent years, or even decades, abroad in countries like Iran and Pakistan. When they return, they often find themselves in unfamiliar territory. They’re unaware of how climate change is affecting their hometowns, including shifts in the economy and availability of basic services.

For example, in areas where returnees settle, houses are often made of mud. These homes aren’t resilient to extreme weather, such as flash floods. Reports show that temporary shelters are frequently destroyed, making living conditions precarious. In cities like Kabul and Herat, returnee families face intense pressure from climate-related disasters. Female-headed households are particularly vulnerable, often lacking access to safe water and facing increased health risks.

Community Exclusion and Increased Vulnerability

Upon returning, many find themselves more vulnerable than local residents. Returnees often lack community support and find it hard to adjust to local climate patterns. They may be treated as temporary residents, pushing them into informal settlements with poor infrastructure. These areas are often prone to flooding or landslides, contributing to their ongoing struggles.

Urban planners often overlook returnees, which prevents them from participating in decision-making about risk management. As climate change worsens, many returnees face repeated displacements, increasing their vulnerability and reducing their chances for long-term stability.

Resource Scarcity and Tensions

The influx of returnees has heightened competition for limited resources, like water and firewood. This scarcity is further aggravated by climate change, leading to droughts and desertification. Recently, forced returns from neighboring countries are expected to intensify these struggles. In 2024, experts note that resource scarcity is often socially and politically driven, causing newcomers to be blamed for the situation, which only fuels existing tensions.

Despite these challenges, communities are finding ways to adapt. Returnees are bringing new ideas to improve livelihoods, using technology to tackle water access, and introducing new crops to local farms.

Intersecting Displacement Dynamics

The effects of climate change and natural disasters overlap with those faced by internally displaced people in Afghanistan. As more people are displaced due to environmental issues, the struggle to cope becomes even more complex. In areas like Nangarhar and Helmand, families find it hard to move far from home when disasters strike. This trajectory creates a cycle of displacement that complicates the recovery process for many.

Experts emphasize that addressing climate-related challenges requires a collaborative approach. Communities, returnees, and policymakers must work together to create sustainable solutions and integrate climate resilience into local planning.

For more in-depth insights into Afghanistan’s environmental situation, consider resources from organizations like the United Nations or local NGOs. These entities provide valuable data and support for communities affected by climate change.

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