14 and financially. Cumulatively, the pain, suffering and abuse suffered while on the move had devastating effects for the deportees, at various different levels. Drivers and causes of flight in the eyes of the deportees A major factor behind large-scale flight of Afghans has been the escalating armed conflict and deteriorating security in Afghanistan. Afghans, no matter rich or poor and urban or rural, have felt deeply unsafe and insecure in the country. Safety and security have continued to deteriorate in recent years as insurgent groups have made more advances, initiating audacious operations in urban heartlands, and striking areas that were previously known as zones of peace and stability in a country otherwise deeply engulfed in criss-crossing fighting and warfare. Sustained political in-fighting within the government, as well as between the government and the various political factions, combined with a shrinking economy, expanding corruption and criminal enterprises have further exacerbated the pervasive feeling of insecurity and instability. The persistent threat of international withdrawal and disengagement and the fear of the country’s plunging into total anarchy and possibly civil war has equally contributed into deepening a real and perceived sense of insecurity and instability in the country. Overall the main drivers of flight could be grouped as follows: Security driver Increasing conflict volatility, decreasing hope and an escalating fear of takeover by the Taliban or the descent of the country into civil war were referred to as the principle factors for the flight towards Europe. About 78% (39) of the deportees interviewed from the country’s four selected regions (Balkh, Kabul, Herat and Nangarhar) attributed their initial departure to fear of war and insecurity. A great majority of the deportees, referring to an intensive presence of the spectre of war across the country said that they left the country because they believed they could be killed during fighting between conflict parties. Many others had more specific security concerns and reasons for their departures1. Economic driver Seeking better economic and educational opportunities prompted the interviewees to flee. The armed conflict was not the only factor. Around 14%2 of the interviewees said that they had left the country in search for better opportunities for themselves and their families. Even within this economic narrative for migration, conflict however represented a significant factor. The continuity of conflict and the constant escalation of violence had deprived them of economic and educational opportunities in the past and, they believed, would continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Although they lacked specific security concern for fleeing the country, they believed that the presence of war and violence would condemned them to misery and suffering. To escape this predicament and change the trajectory of their future, they had chosen to take up the hazardous journey towards Europe3. 1. Interviews in Balkh, Kabul, Herat and Mazar, April - December 2018 2. Interviews in Balkh, Kabul, Herat and Mazar, April - December 2018 3. Interviews in Balkh, Kabul, Herat and Mazar, April - December 2018