Humanitarian Impact Assessment: Civilian Displacement and Casualties Following Afghanistan–Pakistan Border Escalation

Humanitarian Impact Assessment Report

Displacement and Civilian Losses Resulting from Cross-Border Hostilities along the Durand Line

Eastern and Southeastern Afghanistan

Date of Assessment: 13 March 2026
Prepared by: Saifrood Unity and Aid Organization (SUAO)

 

Executive Summary

Since late February 2026, tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated significantly along the Durand Line, resulting in cross-border shelling, artillery exchanges, and reported airstrikes affecting several provinces in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan. The escalation has caused civilian casualties, destruction of homes and infrastructure, and large-scale displacement of communities living in border districts.

In order to assess the humanitarian impact at the community level, Saifrood Unity and Aid Organization (SUAO) conducted a rapid field-based humanitarian assessment in Khost Province, focusing on the districts of Ali Sher, Zazi Maidan, and Gurbuz, which were among the most directly affected areas.

The findings presented in this report are primarily based on direct field observations, interviews with affected families, and on-site assessments conducted by SUAO teams. Additional contextual information and broader displacement figures were compiled through coordination with provincial authorities, humanitarian partners, United Nations agencies, and cluster coordination mechanisms operating in Afghanistan.

The SUAO field assessment found that 3,888 families were displaced in the three assessed districts of Khost Province alone, while dozens of homes were destroyed and livestock – a critical source of livelihood – was lost. At the broader regional level, humanitarian partners estimate that more than 16,370 families, representing approximately 114,590 people, have been newly displaced across several provinces due to the escalation of hostilities. Civilian casualties have also been reported, with preliminary figures indicating more than fifty-six civilian deaths and over one hundred twenty-nine injuries during the initial phase of the conflict.

Displaced families are currently living in extremely difficult conditions with limited access to shelter, safe drinking water, food assistance, healthcare services, and sanitation facilities. Women, children, elderly persons, and persons with disabilities are particularly vulnerable.

Immediate humanitarian assistance is required to address urgent needs and prevent further deterioration of the situation.

 

1. Background of the Conflict

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan intensified in February 2026 following a series of military incidents along the Durand Line. Cross-border exchanges involving artillery fire, mortar shelling, and airstrikes were reported in several provinces along Afghanistan’s eastern frontier.

The provinces most directly affected by the escalation include Khost, Paktia, Paktika, Nangarhar, Kunar, and Nuristan. Additional security incidents and broader humanitarian impacts have also been reported in Kabul, Kandahar, Zabul, Laghman, and Parwan provinces.

Communities living in border districts have been particularly exposed to military activity. Civilian populations residing near the frontier have faced direct risks from shelling, resulting in casualties, destruction of homes, and forced displacement. In addition to the immediate security risks, the escalation has disrupted local trade routes, markets, and transportation networks, further worsening humanitarian conditions in communities that were already economically fragile.

 

2. Assessment Methodology

This report combines primary field data collected by Saifrood Unity and Aid Organization with contextual humanitarian information obtained through coordination with humanitarian partners and publicly available situation updates from humanitarian agencies.

The assessment relied primarily on direct field engagement. SUAO teams conducted visits to affected districts and villages, where they observed damaged houses, destroyed infrastructure, and displacement locations. Interviews were conducted with displaced families, community elders, and local residents in order to document the impact of the conflict on civilian populations. Additional consultations were carried out with community leaders and district and provincial authorities in order to verify the reported figures and gain further understanding of the situation.

Information exchange with humanitarian actors and United Nations agencies operating in the region also helped provide broader context for the scale of the crisis.

As part of this process, SUAO teams conducted direct assessments in Ali Sher, Zazi Maidan, and Gurbuz districts of Khost Province. The teams documented casualties, housing destruction, loss of livestock, and displacement patterns in the affected communities. The figures presented in this report should therefore be understood as preliminary estimates based on currently available information, and the scale of damage and displacement may increase as further assessments continue.

 

3. Geographic Scope of the Crisis

The escalation of hostilities has affected a wide area along Afghanistan’s eastern and southeastern border with Pakistan. Humanitarian reports indicate that the provinces most directly affected by the recent clashes include Paktia, Khost, Paktika, Nangarhar, Kunar, and Nuristan. These provinces lie along or near the Durand Line and have experienced the most direct impact from cross-border shelling and military activity.

Beyond the immediate border areas, broader humanitarian and security impacts have also been reported in Kabul, Kandahar, Zabul, Laghman, and Parwan provinces. The widening geographic scope illustrates how localized border clashes can quickly produce humanitarian consequences across multiple regions.

Within this broader crisis, the districts of Ali Sher, Zazi Maidan, and Gurbuz in Khost Province have experienced repeated shelling and military activity due to their proximity to the border.

 

4. Human Casualties and Infrastructure Damage

Reports from humanitarian partners indicate that the recent escalation has resulted in significant civilian harm across eastern Afghanistan. Preliminary estimates indicate that at least fifty-six civilians were killed and one hundred twenty-nine injured during the early phase of the hostilities. Other humanitarian sources report a total of one hundred forty-six civilian casualties, including forty-two killed and one hundred four injured.

In addition to civilian casualties, airstrikes and artillery fire have damaged residential houses, health facilities, humanitarian service centers, and public infrastructure. In some areas located near border crossings, humanitarian facilities were temporarily closed or relocated due to security risks. These disruptions have further limited access to essential services for already vulnerable populations.

 

5. Displacement

The hostilities have triggered new waves of displacement across eastern Afghanistan. Humanitarian partners estimate that approximately 16,370 families, representing around 114,590 people, have been newly displaced due to the escalation of violence.

The largest numbers of displaced families have been recorded in Paktia Province, where approximately 7,000 families have fled their homes. Kunar Province has reported around 3,500 displaced families, while Nangarhar Province has recorded approximately 2,500 displaced families. Khost Province has also experienced significant displacement, with around 2,500 families forced to leave their homes. In Paktika Province, approximately 470 families have been displaced, while Nuristan Province has recorded around 400 displaced families.

This displacement crisis is occurring on top of existing humanitarian challenges in the region. Approximately 7,000 families remain displaced from the earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan in August 2025. When combined with the newly displaced households, the total number of displaced families in the eastern region now stands at approximately 23,370 families, representing around 163,590 people.

Many displaced families are currently residing in temporary shelters, informal settlements, or with host communities, where access to basic services remains limited.

 

6. SUAO Field Assessment – Khost Province

To better understand the humanitarian impact of the conflict at the community level, Saifrood Unity and Aid Organization conducted a rapid field assessment in the districts of Ali Sher, Zazi Maidan, and Gurbuz in Khost Province.

In Ali Sher District, the assessment recorded six civilian deaths and sixteen injuries resulting from cross-border shelling. Fifty residential homes were destroyed and approximately one hundred livestock animals were lost during the attacks. The insecurity forced around 1,454 families to leave their homes and seek safety in nearby areas.

In Zazi Maidan District, the assessment documented two civilian deaths and four injuries. The destruction of housing was even more extensive in this district, where seventy homes were destroyed. In addition, seventy livestock animals were reported lost, severely affecting household livelihoods. Approximately 1,429 families were displaced as a result of the fighting.

In Gurbuz District, the humanitarian impact was somewhat less severe in terms of casualties but still significant. Although no confirmed deaths or injuries were recorded during the assessment, two houses were destroyed and approximately ten livestock animals were lost. Some public infrastructure also sustained partial damage. The insecurity forced approximately 1,005 families to flee their homes.

Across the three districts assessed by SUAO, the field findings indicate that eight civilians were killed and twenty injured. A total of 122 houses were destroyed and 180 livestock animals were lost. The violence displaced approximately 3,888 families from their homes.

These figures represent only the areas directly assessed by SUAO and form part of the broader humanitarian impact across eastern Afghanistan.

 

7. Humanitarian Conditions of Displaced Families

Field observations indicate that displaced families are living in extremely difficult conditions. Many households are residing in temporary tents, unfinished buildings, informal settlements, or with host communities.

Displaced families frequently reported limited access to safe drinking water, insufficient food supplies, and a lack of adequate shelter. Healthcare services remain difficult to access in several displacement locations, while sanitation conditions are often inadequate. Women and children represent the majority of displaced populations and face heightened vulnerability to health risks, malnutrition, and protection concerns.

 

8. Loss of Livelihoods

The destruction of homes and the loss of livestock have significantly affected the economic stability of affected families. In rural communities across eastern Afghanistan, livestock represents a critical source of income and food security. The loss of animals during the hostilities has therefore compounded the vulnerability of displaced households.

Many families reported losing livestock, stored food supplies, agricultural assets, and household belongings during the attacks. Without immediate humanitarian support, many households will struggle to recover their livelihoods.

 

9. Coordination with Authorities and Humanitarian Partners

While the findings presented in this report are primarily based on SUAO’s direct field observations and interviews with affected communities, the assessment process was conducted in coordination with provincial authorities, district administrations, community leaders, and humanitarian actors operating in the region.

SUAO also maintains coordination with United Nations humanitarian agencies and cluster partners in Afghanistan to ensure that collected data contributes to broader humanitarian analysis and response planning.

 

10. Summary Table of Key Data

Area	Civilian Deaths	Injuries	Houses Destroyed	Livestock Lost	Displaced Families
Ali Sher District (Khost)	6	16	50	100	1,454
Zazi Maidan District (Khost)	2	4	70	70	1,429
Gurbuz District (Khost)	0	0	2	10	1,005
Subtotal – SUAO Field Assessment	8	20	122	180	3,888
Paktia Province	—	—	—	—	7,000
Kunar Province	—	—	—	—	3,500
Nangarhar Province	—	—	—	—	2,500
Khost Province (overall estimate)	—	—	—	—	2,500
Paktika Province	—	—	—	—	470
Nuristan Province	—	—	—	—	400
Total Newly Displaced (Humanitarian Partners)	—	—	—	—	16,370 families
Total Displaced Including 2025 Earthquake	—	—	—	—	23,370 families (≈163,590 people)

 

Conclusion

The recent escalation of hostilities along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border has significantly worsened the humanitarian situation in eastern Afghanistan. Thousands of families have been displaced, homes and livelihoods have been destroyed, and access to essential services has been disrupted.

The findings from SUAO’s field assessment in Khost Province highlight the severe impact of the conflict on border communities and illustrate the broader humanitarian crisis affecting the region.

Immediate humanitarian assistance and coordinated response efforts are urgently required to support affected populations and prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.