As an integral part of the strategic regional response to Afghan displacement, DRC is initiating an operation in Iran. Within the regional framework, comprising both Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and all the way into Ferghana Valley in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, the overall objective of the programme is to improve protection and promote durable solutions for Afghan refugees, whether they stay in Iran or return to Afghanistan. However, return possibilities are currently bleak due to the continuing hostilities and precarious security situation in Afghanistan. Consequently, an increasing number of refugees face protracted displacement in Iran.

Addressing this challenge, DRC’s operation in Iran focuses on two main objectives. Firstly, DRC aims to improve access of refugees to economic livelihood activities supporting both refugees in a situation of displacement or in preparation for repatriation, with particular focus on the urban caseload which constitutes 97 % of the Afghan refugees in Iran. Secondly, DRC seeks to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders to ensure participation of refugees in livelihood activities with particular initial focus on data collection and analysis.

Currently, more than 1 million registered Afghan refugees reside in Iran along with 44.000 refugees from Iraq. In addition, an estimated number of 2 million Afghan nationals in Iran remain unregistered and live illegally, because the Iranian authorities have not granted refugee status to new arrivals since 2005. The refugees, registered as well as unregistered, live under deplorable conditions at the margin of society, with a very limited ability of sustaining sufficient economic livelihoods and a minimum of protection.