Returning to Uncertainty: Navigating Challenges in Post-2021 Afghanistan
Photo illustrating the uncertainty associated with the return of an Afghan returnee, generated using Midjourney AI photo generator under the Creative Common License.
by: Shapoor Hamid, Hideyat Siddiqi | BILIM Organization for Research and Social Studies
In August 2021, the restoration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan led to major dynamic shifts across the nation’s political, social, and economic landscape. This pivotal transformation had profound implications for the lives of Afghan citizens. One immediate consequence was the exodus of approximately 1.6 million Afghans seeking refuge beyond their homeland’s borders. This new wave of refugees increased the total number of Afghan refugees in neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Iran to a staggering 8.2 million[1].
For decades, migration remained a prevailing survival strategy among Afghans, a means to escape conflict and pervasive uncertainty[2]. Currently, the host nations are increasingly advocating for the return of Afghan refugees to their home country as a viable solution. However, the general lack of economic opportunity and geopolitical uncertainty in Afghanistan poses significant challenges to convincing Afghan refugees to consider voluntary return to their homeland.
Return migration transcends the mere act of physical relocation—it is a profound journey characterized by intricate psychological transformations. The psychological hurdles associated with returning have assumed considerable significance in the wake of the restoration of the Emirate governance system by the Taliban. In this blog, we will navigate the intricate web of emotions, the battle for identity, and the resilience exhibited by Afghan returnees as they embark, whether by choice or coercion, on the courageous journey back to their homeland.
Reverse Culture Shock: A Shifting Landscape
Returning to Afghanistan after years abroad can be challenging. The sudden change in governance with the return of the Taliban introduced a highly uncertain environment. Returnees now grapple not only with the typical challenges of reverse culture shock but also with shifts in the political and social fabric of their homeland. Notably, these shifts include severe restrictions imposed on women and the complete ban on girls’ education nationwide, except primary education. Such dramatic changes leave the returnees with little room to manoeuvre and likely increase the potential for remigration. The results of a study conducted by Bilim on outmigration factors in the post-2021 era suggest that gender-based discrimination is among the key structural limitations that could instigate yet another outmigration wave.
Identity Reconciliation: Adapting to a New Normal
The process of return migration thrusts Afghans into a profound reckoning with their identity amidst the return of the Taliban to Afghanistan. Many returnees, having been exposed to diverse cultures and lifestyles during their time abroad, found that these new and alternate cosmopolitan values resonate with them. The post-2021 era in Afghanistan stands in stark contradiction to the values they have come to embrace during their journey. Balancing these newfound perspectives with the contradicting socio-political context of Afghanistan presents a formidable challenge for Afghan returnees. Consequently, they may find themselves grappling with heightened psychological challenges as they navigate the intricate terrain of identity, where the past and the present collide, leaving them in a state of internal conflict.
Emotional Resilience: A New Chapter in a Tumultuous Story
In the post-2021 era, emotional resilience takes on a new dimension with Afghan returnees grappling with a multifaceted wave of psychological trauma. Their journey has been marked by a series of difficult experiences. Initially, the act of forced migration itself constitutes a major psychological shock. This trauma is further compounded by the deep psychological scars often inflicted during illegal migration. Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of their journey is the forced return or deportation, which can be seen as a devastating endpoint to a protracted and arduous quest for a better life. The forced return compels individuals to abandon the promise of a brighter future and return to a homeland filled with uncertainty, resulting in considerable emotional distress.
Reintegration Amidst Shifting Norms
Re-establishing social ties and rebuilding lives in post-2021 Afghanistan presents unique and formidable challenges. Local societal norms have undergone significant changes with the return of the Taliban government, which is not recognized by the world, the shifts in demographic makeup of cities as several Taliban returnees came from Pakistan, and people migrated from rural to urban areas, as well as the increasing gender discrimination and the freefalling economy. It would be overly optimistic to expect returnees, already burdened by layers of psychological distress, to easily navigate these shifting dynamics. The task of reintegration is further complicated by the fact that the de-facto Afghan government lacks international recognition, institutional, and technical capacity to address the multifaceted challenges faced by an increasing number of returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Employment and Career: Navigating Uncertainty on the Road to Re-employment
Re-entering the Afghan job market in the Taliban era can be a daunting prospect. Afghanistan’s GDP contracted by 20% in 2021[3], and out of an estimated population of 40 million, 28.8 million Afghans find themselves in dire need of support[4]. As a vulnerable population, returnees may struggle to find jobs and provide for their families, leading to long-lasting psychological distress. This distress can set in motion a destructive cycle of poverty, trauma, negative coping mechanisms, and even illegal emigration.
Key Takeaways
Understanding and addressing the psychological challenges associated with return migration in post-2021 Afghanistan is of utmost importance. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how the existing structures, agency, aspirations, and capabilities relevant to migration also shift. An immediate lesson to be reckoned by policymakers, service providers, and communities, is to adapt their strategies to the ever-changing landscape. Support should encompass cultural orientation programs, mental health services, employment assistance, and community initiatives aimed at fostering acceptance and re-integration in a society characterized by uncertainty.
Return migration to Afghanistan thus represents a journey of profound transformation. The resurgence of the Taliban in 2021 has added new layers of complexity to current return migration. It is a voyage that forces individuals to confront their past, their present, and their aspirations for the future in Afghanistan. Assisting returnees in navigating these psychological challenges is not just about rebuilding a stronger, more resilient Afghanistan; it is also a crucial step towards finding a durable solution towards the re-integration of returnees which is at an increasingly deteriorating state.
References:
[1] Afghan Refugee Crisis Explained. UNHCR, July 2023 - https://www.unrefugees.org/news/afghanistan-refugee-crisis explained/#:~:text=More%20than%201.6%20million%20Afghans,refugee%20situations%20in%20the%20world.
[2] Monsutti, A., 2008. Afghan migratory strategies and the three solutions to the refugee problem. Refugee survey quarterly, 27(1), pp.58-73.
[3] The World Bank – Afghanistan Overview - https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/afghanistan/overview#:~:text=The%20political%20crisis%20of%20August,by%2020.7%20percent%20in%202021.
[4] Afghanistan Humanitarian Response 2023. OCHA Afghanistan- https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistan-humanitarian-response-plan-2023-march-2023
Contact:
Shapoor Hamid | BILIM Organization for Research and Social Studies, Afghanistan | hamid.s@billim.af
Hideyat Siddiqi | BILIM Organization for Research and Social Studies, Afghanistan | siddiqi.h@bilim.af