Afghanistan Situation Update #2: Humanitarian Impact of Afghanistan-Pakistan Military Escalation (5 April 2026)
Countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Please refer to the attached file. Highlights Since late February, cross-border shelling, airstrikes and armed clashes have resulted in civilian casualties (killed and wounded) in the several hundred, including children and one humanitarian worker. Despite a temporary ceasefire over Eid (19 to 24 March), shelling, airstrikes and unexploded ordnance (UXO) incidents continued during and after the holidays, particularly across eastern and southeastern provinces. Just over 94,000 people (about 13,400 families) have been assessed as displaced to date across Khost (26,200), Kunar (25,300), Nangarhar (19,600), Paktia (18,200) and Paktika (4,900) provinces, with needs assessments ongoing, including in Nuristan. Additionally, 25 health facilities and 41 schools across Kabul, Khost, Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktia and Paktika have been damaged, closed or suspended due to shelling and insecurity, disrupting essential health, nutrition and education services, On 17 March, a major airstrike caused the destruction of the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul; damage has also been sustained to a market in Paktika and a major fuel depot in Kandahar, with reports of religious structures also being hit in Kunar and Nuristan. Additionally, at least 345 homes have been destroyed or severely damaged. Humanitarian access to almost 100,000 people (approximately 17,000 households) living in Bargematal and Kamdesh districts of Nuristan Province has not been possible since the end of February amid sustained cross-border hostilities and severe access constraints. These districts, located in the eastern part of Nuristan, are primarily accessible via a single road running through Nari district, Kunar Province, in close proximity to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and in direct sight of military forces. Credible reports indicate that vehicles attempting to transit the road are at risk of cross-border firing, rendering the corridor unusable for both civilian and humanitarian purposes. One INGO worker travelling in a vehicle on the road with her family on the evening of 18 March came under cross-border fire and was killed along with her son. Consequently, the population in these districts have been left without access to markets or health services; severe shortages of food and essential items have been reported and health facilities report critical supply. While an alternate route to access these communities is being pursued through a snow clearance and road widening operation along the Poprak Pass, it is not expected to be operational in the immediate term. The Torkham border reopened briefly on 26 March, enabling the return of 339 Afghans before closing again a few hours later. An unexploded ordnance (UXO) incident the same day injured three children, raising safety concerns and prompting the deployment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) for explosive ordnance disposal: due to insecurity along the route, the QRTs were not able to reach the site until 1 April where they cleared 4 UXOs following a visual search. As of 4 April, the Reception and Transit Centre and Omari Camp are assessed as permissive for the resumption of activities, while the Zero Point crossing area remains uncleared for UN personnel. Despite Afghanistan recording the third-highest explosive ordnance casualty rate in the world, Mine Action operations are severely constrained by critical funding gaps. Currently, only 151 Mine Action teams are active nationwide, compared to 198 teams in March 2025 and 290 in March 2024. In response to the extensive contamination from ongoing hostilities and in light of the significant operational shortfall, the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF) is considering a rapid allocation dedicated to sustaining lifesaving mine action activities. Although hostilities continue in the border areas, humanitarian partners continue to deliver essential aid. As of end-March, 4,873 households (over 34,000 people) received high-energy biscuits (HEBs) as immediate food assistance; 4.5 metric tons of emergency medical supplies were prepositioned to support up to 80,550 people; 4,722 displaced families were assisted with emergency shelter and non-food items; 134 community-based education and accelerated learning programme classes were reopened reaching 4,020 students; and 4,890 households (34,230 people) received multipurpose cash assistance totalling US$849,799.