Clashes Along Durand Line Displace Over 115,000 Civilians, Warns Norwegian Refugee Council
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has reported that since February 26, escalating clashes along the Durand Line between Afghanistan and Pakistan have displaced more than 115,000 civilians in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. These families have been forced to abandon their homes and seek refuge in temporary shelters, makeshift camps, or with relatives.
According to the report, at least 56 civilians were killed and 129 wounded during the first week of the fighting alone. Additionally, over 800 residential houses have been destroyed or severely damaged. Aid agencies have warned that the displaced face severe shortages of drinking water, medical services, and educational facilities.
An NRC spokesperson stated that “the scale of displacement is shocking,” with many families living in poor conditions and facing serious economic hardships. Some have resorted to renting overcrowded and substandard homes that they can barely afford.
Continued insecurity has also led to the suspension of essential services. More than 20 health centers in the region have ceased operations due to the security situation, with five of these facilities damaged by airstrikes or shelling from Pakistan. The World Food Programme has temporarily halted food distributions in some areas, while NRC has suspended classes in Khost province, leaving 626 children without access to education.
The World Food Programme had earlier warned that Afghanistan would face severe food shortages in the coming spring unless funding shortfalls were immediately addressed. With the ongoing expansion of conflict, concerns about a worsening food crisis have intensified.
This crisis worsens amid thousands still displaced from earlier events. Over 25,000 people displaced six months ago by an earthquake in Kunar are now being forced to leave their temporary shelters and return to areas where services are limited. Additionally, 14,500 more individuals are at risk of displacement if the clashes continue.
The NRC has provided cash assistance to more than 4,300 people and plans to extend support to another 4,000. However, severe funding shortages have constrained the scope of humanitarian responses in Afghanistan, highlighting the Taliban administration’s inability to effectively manage successive crises.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation is also affecting Afghans living abroad. Reports indicate that out of over 4.4 million Afghan residents in Iran, some are returning due to security concerns and economic pressures, with approximately 1,700 people returning daily.
Aid organizations have called on all parties involved to ensure the protection of civilians and to facilitate unhindered access for humanitarian workers to affected areas.
