Since April 1, 2025, seventeen women have given birth at emergency healthcare centers at border points while crossing into Afghanistan from Pakistan, highlighting a dire need for enhanced medical and maternity care at the borders.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Afghanistan reported that these births occurred as mothers, who were being forcibly expelled from Pakistan, arrived at Afghanistan’s border. In the past two weeks alone, twelve women gave birth at a primary health center located at the zero point on the border, while five others delivered their babies at an emergency maternity clinic inside a refugee reception center.
UNFPA emphasized the critical importance of providing accessible maternity healthcare services at border points, noting that all newborns were delivered in good health despite the difficult conditions.
This surge in births at the border comes amid the mass return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan. In line with Pakistan’s announcement that all undocumented Afghan nationals and holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) must leave the country by March 31, 2025, tens of thousands of families are expected to cross into Afghanistan in the coming weeks and months. Since April 1, approximately 45,000 individuals have already returned, with nearly 58% of them being children, as reported by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Reports from Pakistani media indicate that on Sunday, April 12, nearly 3,000 Afghan refugees returned to Afghanistan, both forcibly and voluntarily, contributing to the growing pressure on border healthcare services.
UNFPA and other humanitarian organizations are calling for immediate improvements in maternity and healthcare facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of both mothers and children in these challenging circumstances.
