Local officials of Nimroz province said that at least 925 unattended children have been forcibly returned from neighboring Iran within the past six months.

Many the children were separated from their families while illegally traveling to Iran, officials said.

“We have collected 925 children during the six months. We have an office near the border and hand the children over to the office,” said Mohammad Omar Zubair, head of the Social and Labors Affairs of Nimroz.

Amir Mohammad, 14, and his sister separated from their family when they were going to Iran via an illegal rout.

Amir, who along with his sister was forcibly returned to Nimroz, said they hoped to join their family soon.

“Leaving via illegal ways is not good, it is very dangerous,” said Amir Mohammad.

“I decided to go to Iran to work there because we (family) are not in a good situation,” said Layequllah, who was deported back to Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, an organization supported by UNICEF is providing services to children near the border in Nimroz province.

“In the camp, they receive clothes, shoes, and food. Our regional colleagues contact the families of the children in different provinces,” said Abdul Qadeer Sultani, head of the Baqa Organization. 

This comes as many Afghan citizens are deported from Iran daily. According to reports, nearly 200,000 Afghans were sent back in the past six months.