Afghanistan: Quarterly Mixed Migration Update: Asia and the Pacific, Quarter 1, 2026

Countries: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Thailand Source: Mixed Migration Centre Please refer to the attached file. The core countries of focus in the update for this region are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Australia. Depending on the quarterly trends and migration-related updates, more attention may be given to any of the countries over the rest. Key Updates Afghan-Pakistani conflict brings displacement and insecurity: The security situation in Afghanistan was aggravated by the outbreak of fighting with Pakistan in late February, suspending the majority of returns due to border closures while at least 94, 000 Afghans are still displaced by fighting. Millions displaced by US attack on Iran: Following the launch of a mass bombardment campaign by the US against Iran in February, thousands of civilians (including hundreds of children) have been killed in the attacks and up to 3. 2 million Iranians displaced. Afghans face increased harassment and uncertainty in Iran: since the outbreak of conflict with the United States and Israel, Afghans have experienced an apparent rise in extortion and harassment by security forces and have reportedly been scapegoated. Gulf conflict exposes South Asian migrants’ vulnerability: Among those most vulnerable to Iran’s attacks in the Gulf are South Asian migrants, who comprise the majority of civilian casualties. Many prospective labour migrants from sending countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Philippines have had to suspend their plans indefinitely. Malnutrition fears as Rohingya in Bangladesh face further food cuts: fromearly April refugees in the camp will see their food budget further reduced from US$12 a month to as little as to $US7 for some groups, despite the severity of malnutrition already evident in the camps. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia continue: While fighting between the two countries has halted, tensions have persisted, with the Thai government announced a ban on any new Cambodian workers entering the country and land crossings between the two countries were still suspended.

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