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

Two attacks on 12 May killed dozens of people across Afghanistan, demonstrating an escalating conflict and increasingly difficult humanitarian situation. At least 24 people were killed when unknown gunmen stormed a hospital supported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Kabul’s Dasht-e Barchi, a Shia neighbourhood previously targeted by the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP). MSF has suspended activities at this maternity ward and patients have been evacuated to surrounding facilities. Attacks on healthcare and disruption of services by insurgents and government forces have increased since 2017, with more than 113 incidents reported in 2019. The other attack took place in Nangahar province, where a suicide bomb claimed by ISKP killed 24 people attending the funeral of a local police commander. Located along the Pakistan border and an ISKP and Taliban stronghold, Nangarhar is one of the country’s most-conflict affected areas, with 8,200 people displaced amid increased conflict and attacks in 2020. The humanitarian needs and availability of public services have been further aggravated by a surge in returnees from Pakistan since March due to COVID-19.?

12/05/2020: Protesters gathered at the governor's headquarters in Ghor province on 9 May, alleging that aid meant to alleviate the pressure from COVID-19 restrictions has been mismanaged and unfairly distributed. COVID-19 containment measures including restrictions on businesses and cross-border movement have disrupted food deliveries to Afghanistan, causing a spike in food prices and worsening food needs. Clashes broke out between protesters and the police killed 7 people and injured 16 others.?

ACAPS' team is daily monitoring the impact of COVID-19. Find more information related to the outbreak here.