The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is incredibly dire. Natural disasters like earthquakes are shattering already devastated communities.

An estimated 700,000 Afghans have been displaced inside the country since the start of 2021 primarily due to insecurity and violence. 

Families forced to flee their homes in recent weeks cite the worsening security situation as the predominant reason for their flight. The needs of those who have had to flee suddenly are acute. 

UNHCR has issued an urgent call for peace and international action–the human toll of these spiraling hostilities is immense. The United Nations Assistance Mission has warned that without a significant de-escalation in violence, Afghanistan is on course to witness the highest ever number of documented civilian casualties in a single year since the UN’s records began.

UNHCR and partners are assisting newly displaced Afghans with emergency shelter, food, health, water and sanitation support and cash assistance, despite challenges in accessing vulnerable groups.

The resilience of the Afghan people has been pushed to the limit by prolonged conflict, high levels of displacement, the impact of COVID-19, recurrent natural disasters, including drought and earthquakes, and deepening poverty. Some 65 per cent of the Afghan population, in and outside of Afghanistan, are children and young people.