Prepared by: Abdullah Samim, Head of Saifrood Unity and Aid Organization
Date: 26 March 2026
Life in hand-carved caves within the mountains, driven by fear of bombardment, is a reality that not only pains every human heart but also represents a silent cry from the depths of humanity. This situation reflects conditions in which people, for survival, are forced to resort to the most basic and harsh forms of living.
Gurbaz District in Khost Province, sharing a border with Pakistan and located near the Ghulam Khan crossing, has in recent weeks become one of the main centers of unrest and border conflict. The geographical position of this district has placed its residents directly in the path of the consequences of war and instability. As a result, innocent civilians—particularly residents of Nari, Masha, Barykhil, Padshahkhel, and Gulkhel—have been forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in Chakwari, Shirshi, Shuza, and other central areas.
This displacement has occurred under circumstances where many families were unable to transfer their essential belongings. Livestock, agricultural products, food supplies, and basic household assets have been left behind in their original areas and are now at risk of destruction. For many of these families, these assets represented their only source of survival and income.
However, what is most concerning is the complete absence of a sense of security in these critical conditions. The intensity of the conflict has reached a point where some families, in order to save their lives, have taken refuge in the mountains and chosen dark and cold caves as temporary shelters. While this decision has been necessary for survival, it has made living conditions extremely difficult and unbearable.
Inside these caves, life continues under extremely harsh and exhausting conditions. Severe shortages of clean drinking water, lack of sufficient food, absence of sanitation facilities, and lack of adequate lighting have turned daily life into a serious struggle. Children, as the most vulnerable group, are facing serious physical and psychological challenges, and signs of fear, anxiety, and insecurity are clearly visible on their faces and in their behavior.
The challenges faced by these communities are not limited to physical needs but also include psychological and social dimensions. The pressures of instability, loss of homes and assets, and uncertainty about the future have deeply affected the mental well-being of families.
At present:
There is no safe and stable place for living
Financial resources and economic activities have completely stopped
Providing even one meal has become a serious challenge for many families
Agriculture and livestock, once the main sources of livelihood, have been severely damaged or destroyed
Access to basic necessities of life is extremely limited
People are living every day in fear and uncertainty about an unknown future
The continuation of this situation and the prolongation of conflict have had severe consequences on people’s lives. Families have suffered significant losses, including the death of elderly individuals, women, and children, the loss of livestock, and the destruction of homes and property. These losses are not only physical but also carry deep social and economic impacts.
Furthermore, the destruction of local infrastructure and the halt of economic activities have made the return to normal life for these families highly challenging in the near future. The absence of employment opportunities and the loss of income sources have increased the risk of long-term dependence on humanitarian assistance.
This situation is not only a humanitarian crisis but also a reflection of the deep suffering of people who urgently need the attention and compassion of the global community. Continued neglect of this situation may lead to even more serious consequences for social and human stability in the region.
Is anyone hearing the voices of these people?
Is there any will to help and save them?
These questions should awaken the conscience of every human being. Now is the time to listen to the voices of these suffering people and to take practical, targeted, and immediate actions to reduce this crisis. Humanitarian support, access to basic services, and efforts to ensure security are among the key measures that can help improve the lives of these families.
Basic items inside a cave used as a living space.
Children continue life under extreme hardship inside caves.
Children endure harsh conditions inside dark cave shelters.
Field assessment conducted near cave shelters where families are living.
Displaced children take shelter inside a cave due to ongoing conflict in Gurbaz District.
A temporary shelter built from basic materials serves as both home and kitchen.
Children sit inside a basic stone shelter used as temporary housing.
Saifrood team assessing needs of displaced families in crisis-affected areas.
Livestock remain critical for survival despite displacement conditions.
Field verification ensures accurate humanitarian response.
Direct engagement with affected individuals to assess needs.
Families live in scattered shelters across rugged terrain.
A hillside settlement of displaced families living in temporary shelters.
Entire families take refuge inside caves for safety.
Families gather outside temporary shelters awaiting assistance.
Homes damaged by conflict leave families without safe shelter.
Families live in tents with minimal resources and basic cooking setups.
Families manage daily survival tasks in harsh conditions.
Multiple families share confined cave spaces for survival.
Registration process for humanitarian assistance underway.
Community infrastructure damaged due to ongoing conflict.
A cave converted into a basic living space with minimal resources.
Inside a tent, families share their situation with aid workers.
Families live in overcrowded tents with limited space and resources.