ACAA says Iran War could trigger “unprecedented” refugee Crisis and surge in UK asylum aeekers

Credit; ACAA

The Afghanistan & Central Asian Association (ACAA), an award-winning UK-based refugee charity headquartered in London and the largest charity supporting Afghan and Central Asian communities in the United Kingdom has suggested that the ongoing war in Iran is already driving large-scale displacement and risks triggering a major international refugee crisis, significantly increasing the number of refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the United Kingdom.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), up to 3.2 million people have already been displaced inside Iran as the conflict intensifies, with hundreds of thousands of households forced to flee major cities in search of safety. The UN warns that these numbers are likely to rise further as hostilities continue, signalling a rapidly worsening humanitarian emergency.

International analysis highlights the global implications of the crisis. Experts warn that the conflict could “fuel a new international refugee crisis,” while European policymakers caution that even partial destabilisation of Iran, a country of around 90 million people, could lead to refugee movements of “unprecedented magnitude,” potentially overwhelming asylum systems across Europe.

The ACAA also highlights that the Iran conflict is unfolding alongside escalating instability in other parts of the Middle East, including Lebanon, raising the risk of a wider regional displacement crisis.

Multiple, overlapping conflicts could significantly increase refugee flows, amplifying pressure on migration routes into Europe and the UK, it says.

Recent reports also indicate that the UK is already bracing for a potential surge in Iranian asylum seekers. Iranian nationals are already among the top three largest groups of asylum seekers in the UK, underlining the likelihood that the conflict will have a direct and immediate impact on Britain’s asylum system.

Darius Nasimi, Head of Funding and Partnerships at the Afghanistan & Central Asian Association (ACAA), said: “The fact that millions of people have already been displaced inside Iran shows the scale of this crisis. Iranian nationals are already one of the largest groups seeking asylum in the UK, and this conflict will only increase those numbers. The UK must prepare now for a significant rise in refugees and asylum seekers. Iran already hosts millions of refugees, particularly from Afghanistan, meaning further instability could trigger wider regional displacement and secondary migration towards Europe and the UK.

“The reality is that refugees will arrive. The question is how well we support them. Charities like ACAA are on the frontline, helping people integrate, learn English, find employment, and rebuild their lives. As this crisis grows, our work and the need for sustained support become more important than ever. ACAA is ready to work in partnership with the UK Government to support refugees and asylum seekers, but this requires sustained investment. With funding cuts affecting the sector, it is more important than ever to strengthen support for organisations on the frontline”.

Impact on the United Kingdom
The ACAA warns that the consequences for the UK are likely to include:

• A significant rise in asylum applications, including from Iranian nationals
• Increased pressure on housing, legal systems, and support services
• Longer waiting times and growing backlogs in asylum decisions
• More dangerous journeys as people attempt to reach safety
• Greater strain on an already stretched asylum system

Call for Greater Support and Integration
The ACAA is calling on the UK Government, local authorities, and partners to prioritise long-term support and integration for refugees and asylum seekers once they arrive in the UK. This includes:

• Expanding access to English language education, employment support, and skills training
• Strengthening community-based grassroots integration programmes
• Providing adequate housing and mental health support
• Supporting frontline charities delivering essential services

As a UK-based charity working directly with refugees and asylum seekers, the ACAA emphasises that its work is becoming increasingly vital in the face of growing global displacement. Through education, advice, and community support programmes, the ACAA helps individuals rebuild their lives, integrate into society, and contribute to their communities. As a frontline charity supporting refugees and asylum seekers,

A statement said: “The ACAA stands ready to collaborate with policymakers to deliver practical, community-based solutions.

“Now more than ever, the ACAA urges greater investment in integration services and stronger collaboration between government and civil society to ensure that refugees are supported effectively, integrated successfully, and able to contribute positively to their communities. At a time when many organisations in the refugee sector face significant funding cuts, the ACAA calls for greater investment in its work and in the refugee sector as a whole, to ensure that those arriving in the UK receive the support they need to rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.”

The ACAA also warns that increases in refugee arrivals, alongside the rise of far-right rhetoric across parts of Europe, will contribute to growing hostility towards refugees and asylum seekers. The charity stresses the importance of promoting social cohesion and ensuring that vulnerable communities are protected from discrimination and harm.