UN Warns Islamabad–Kabul Clashes Deepen Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that renewed border clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistani troops are significantly worsening the humanitarian situation in eastern Afghanistan, leaving civilians dead or injured, damaging key infrastructure, and displacing thousands of families.

According to OCHA, airstrikes and shelling on April 27 struck Asadabad city and surrounding areas of Kunar province, killing at least seven people and injuring 79 others. Among the casualties were women and children, underscoring the growing toll of the violence on noncombatants.

The agency said the attacks also caused widespread destruction to civilian infrastructure. Damaged sites reportedly include a fuel station, sections of a university dormitory, a religious affairs office, and a drug rehabilitation center. OCHA warned that the loss of such facilities is placing further pressure on already fragile public services in the region.

The latest escalation reportedly followed earlier tensions after Pakistani forces allegedly shot a local child near the Spin Boldak crossing. What began as localized friction has since expanded into broader cross-border hostilities affecting multiple provinces.

OCHA noted that civilian infrastructure has increasingly come under strain in recent weeks, with health centers, schools, and water systems among the facilities impacted by repeated shelling and insecurity.

Since late February, more than 100,000 people have reportedly been displaced across eastern and southeastern Afghanistan as a result of ongoing clashes. Provinces such as Kunar, Nangarhar, and Khost have experienced significant waves of displacement, forcing families to flee their homes with little access to shelter, food, clean water, or medical assistance.

Humanitarian organizations say access to affected communities remains severely restricted in several districts because of continued insecurity, active shelling, and the presence of unexploded ordnance. Relief agencies stress that beyond emergency aid, there is an urgent need for reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure, including schools, clinics, roads, and water networks.

OCHA further reported that at least 19 health facilities have either closed, suspended services, or are functioning at reduced capacity, disrupting healthcare access for approximately 78,000 people. Damage to village water supply systems has also heightened concerns over disease outbreaks and worsening sanitation conditions.

Education has been heavily disrupted as well. Dozens of schools have reportedly been damaged, affecting more than 13,000 students across Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Thousands of children are now in need of temporary learning spaces, textbooks, and other educational materials.

Although the intensity of the clashes has reportedly declined compared to the peak violence seen in March, OCHA cautioned that insecurity remains concentrated in border areas. Continued hostilities, damaged infrastructure, and limited humanitarian access are prolonging the suffering of affected communities and delaying recovery efforts.

The UN has urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and ensure safe access for aid organizations responding to the crisis.

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