Afghanistan

Overview

Afghanistan is affected by insecurity, infrastructure decay, and economic stagnation caused by decades of conflict, recurring natural hazards, and protracted and multiple displacement.

In recent years, the conflict between Afghan Security Forces, the Taliban, and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) has intensified. Violent attacks, armed clashes, and aerial and ground engagements have severely impacted civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and roads. Since 2014, there have been more than 10,000 civilian deaths and injuries per year in Afghanistan, with those living in the provinces of Kabul, Nangarhar, and Helmand at highest risk.?

Afghanistan is extremely prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes, droughts, and floods. Seasonal flooding in early 2019 affected 300,000 people and drought in 2018-2019 devastated the agricultural sector, leading to severe food and livelihood needs for 3.9 million people.?

Approximately 4.1 million people displaced since 2012 remain displaced from their village of origin. The largest IDP hosting areas are in the north, northeast, and eastern provinces, where conflict is most active. More than half of IDPs live in provincial capitals, where public services are strained and struggling to cope. Additionally, a high number of returnees from neighbouring countries have put pressure on local and international response. In 2019, nearly 500,000 Afghans returned from Iran and Pakistan. The top provinces of returnees from Pakistan are Kandahar and Nangarhar. For returnees from Iran, the provinces of Herat and Takhar are the top destinations.?

INFORM indicates Afghanistan’s risk of humanitarian crisis is very high with a score of 8/10. This is due to the country’s high hazard exposure and vulnerability.?

Latest Developments

On 15 October, another health clinic closed in Nawa-e-Barakzaiy district due to fighting in Helmand province. A total of 12 clinics across the province have been targeted. It remains unclear how many are still closed, with fighting since 11 October wounding 300 civilians and preventing 20,000 people from accessing health services.?

15/10/2020 - Fighting between  Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and the Taliban broke out in Helmand province on 11 October. Some 35,000 people have been displaced and 200 killed. The displaced are in Lashkargah, the provincial capital, some of them living in the open air. Immediate needs include food, water, and temporary shelter. The fighting forced closure of nine health clinics, leaving 38,000 people without access to critical health services. The road between Kandahar and Lashkargah remains closed, substantially limiting humanitarian access. Conflict has continued, and even escalated, since the start of the intra-Afghan peace talks on 12 September. According to the Afghan government, between 30 September and 14 October, the Taliban carried out 575 attacks, killing or wounding 251 civilians. Seven provinces reported civilian injuries or deaths from improvised explosive devices during the week of 5 October.?