IOM’s mission in Afghanistan was established in 1992 and has maintained an uninterrupted presence in the country. IOM Afghanistan is one of the largest IOM missions worldwide, with nearly 1,000 personnel and offices covering every region of the country. 

IOM’s strategic approach in Afghanistan prioritizes life-saving, multi-sectoral humanitarian and protection assistance across the country and in targeted crisis-affected areas and border-crossing points while laying the foundation for durable solutions for return, recovery and longer-term interventions. 

IOM’s mandate and presence throughout the country has allowed a rapid scale-up to meet the needs of people in both urban and remote, underserved areas, namely internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees and host communities. IOM’s vast presence and adaptable programming enables agile responses to sudden onset disasters or unforeseen crises. 

IOM Afghanistan’s work is guided by the Organization’s three core objectives: saving lives and protecting people on the move; driving solutions to displacement; and facilitating pathways for regular migration – as laid out in IOM’s Strategic Plan 2024-2028. 

Notably, IOM Afghanistan offers a robust emergency and preparedness programme, providing vital assistance to vulnerable Afghans, including those on the move. IOM Afghanistan’s durable solutions programming strives to promote longer-term solutions to displacement in the country. Lastly, IOM Afghanistan is seeking to potentially resume programming in support of regular migration pathways.