Renewed border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan have intensified the humanitarian situation in eastern Afghanistan, as reported by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The violence resulted in seven deaths and 79 injuries from airstrikes and shelling in Asadabad city and parts of Kunar province on April 27. Civilian infrastructure, including a fuel station, university dormitory, religious affairs office, and drug rehabilitation center, has suffered damage.
The OCHA highlighted that the destruction of civilian facilities is impacting public services that were already fragile. More than 10,000 individuals have been displaced in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan since February due to the ongoing clashes. Displacements have been significant in provinces like Kunar, Nangarhar, and Khost, leaving residents with limited access to shelter, food, and medical assistance.
OCHA reported that at least 19 health facilities have been closed, suspended, or are operating at reduced capacity, affecting approximately 78,000 people. Disruptions in water supply systems in various villages have raised the risk of disease outbreaks. Additionally, over 13,000 students in Kunar and Nangarhar have been impacted by the damage to dozens of schools.
The situation is worsened by ongoing insecurity, infrastructure damage, and restricted humanitarian access, prolonging the crisis and hindering recovery efforts for affected populations. Aid agencies emphasize the urgent need for immediate relief, as well as the reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure such as schools, clinics, and water systems, to restore essential services.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have heightened in recent months, leading to repeated exchanges of fire and concerns over civilian casualties. Both nations have accused each other of fueling instability, with diplomatic and local mediation efforts failing to prevent further escalation. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Charge d’Affaires of the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul to protest recent attacks on civilian targets by Pakistani forces in Afghan provinces.
