68,000 Children Displaced in Eastern Afghanistan Amid Clashes with Pakistan

Save the Children has reported that due to increased armed clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, at least 68,000 children have been displaced in the eastern provinces of Afghanistan. According to the report released on Tuesday, the escalating insecurity has disrupted the lives of thousands of families and limited children’s access to education and essential services.

The organization added that about 134,000 people have been affected due to the suspension or disruption of health, nutrition, child protection, and education programs under its coverage. Save the Children stated that the closure of hundreds of classrooms and temporary learning centers has deprived more than 8,000 children under its and its partners’ support of education at present.

The report notes that displaced children urgently need protection support and psychosocial services. Additionally, several child care centers have temporarily closed, raising concerns over the condition of vulnerable children.

Based on United Nations statistics cited in the report, since February 26, at least 56 people have been killed and more than 120 others injured, most of whom are women and children. Meanwhile, as one in every three citizens of the country needs food assistance, the suspension of food distribution by the World Food Programme in affected areas has impacted around 160,000 people.

Arshad Malik, Save the Children’s Regional Director for Asia, has called on all parties to de-escalate tensions and protect children under all circumstances. He emphasized the necessity of full compliance with international humanitarian laws, protection of civilians—especially children—and the immediate establishment of a lasting ceasefire.

Tensions escalated after, according to Taliban administration officials, the Pakistani army violated Afghan airspace on February 21 and targeted parts of civilian areas in Nangarhar province in the east and Paktika in the southeast. In response, Taliban-affiliated forces began attacks on Pakistani military installations starting February 26.

Taliban authorities claim that heavy casualties have been inflicted on the Pakistani side during these clashes; however, no independent details have been provided. The ongoing situation has increased concerns about an intensifying humanitarian crisis in the border regions.