Key messages
After over three decades of protracted displacement, Iran remains host to almost 1 million documented and over 2 million undocumented Afghans (source: UNHCR, BAFIA). Many face constraints and limitations with regard to livelihoods, health, access to education and other essential services.
Iran recently committed itself to include all registered Afghan refugees in the national health insurance scheme on the same basis as its own citizens. In addition, all foreign children irrespective of their legal status have also recently been permitted to enrol in the national education system.
The EU is funding humanitarian projects in Iran to assist vulnerable Afghan refugees since 2000. The EU is increasingly targeting undocumented refugees.
In 2016, €15 million has been allocated to address needs of vulnerable Afghans including support to education for out of school undocumented Afghan children.
Humanitarian relief aid was also provided by the EU in response to the 1997, 2002 and 2003 earthquakes. The EU and Iran have recently mutually committed to further develop cooperation in the field of disaster preparedness and response.
