Amid Forced Returns, Afghan Woman Gives Birth at Islam Qala Border

Photo: UNFPA Afghanistan on X

Amid the ongoing crisis of forced returns of Afghan migrants from Iran, an Afghan woman gave birth to a baby girl at the Islam Qala border crossing in Herat province, at an emergency clinic run by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The UNFPA posted on social media platform X, stating, “While migrants face the complexities of forced return, a mother successfully delivered her baby girl at our emergency maternity clinic.”

This event takes place as the Islam Qala border sees the daily arrival of thousands of Afghan migrants, especially women and children who return without resources, without support, and in urgent need of healthcare, food, and shelter.

Humanitarian organizations have described the birth as “a moment of hope in the heart of crisis.”