UN Agency Reports Border Clashes and Floods Worsen Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released a report on April 30 detailing how recent cross-border clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistani troops have severely worsened humanitarian conditions across eastern and southeastern Afghanistan. UN humanitarian officials stated that shelling and airstrikes on April 27 in Asadabad and Kunar province killed at least seven people and injured 79 others, including women and children.

Agency representatives noted that the violence has caused widespread damage to civilian infrastructure, including a fuel station, a university dormitory, a religious affairs office, and a drug rehabilitation center. Officials reported that approximately 19 health facilities are now closed or operating at reduced capacity, cutting off medical services for an estimated 78,000 residents. Education has also been disrupted for more than 13,000 students in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces due to damaged schools. Humanitarian access remains restricted in several districts amid ongoing insecurity and unexploded ordnance. Since late February, the clashes have displaced more than 100,000 civilians.

In a separate assessment released the same day, OCHA highlighted the impact of recent flooding across the country. UN officials reported that the floods have affected approximately 73,300 people, destroyed 7,500 homes, and left hundreds dead or injured. Assessments are currently underway in 34 districts, with roughly 57,000 individuals identified as needing immediate assistance. The agency warned that both the border violence and the flooding are sharply increasing risks of food insecurity and waterborne diseases across affected communities.