Countrywide Conflict Displacement
The total number of individuals displaced by conflict in 2016 rose to 660,639, as joint assessment teams finalise assessments of those displaced last year. This is the highest number on record, and a 40 per cent increase on last year’s high of around 470,000.
In 2017 so far, 47,404 individuals have been verified as displaced, with 22 provinces recording some level of forced displacement.
Northern/North Eastern: Significant military clashes in Kunduz and Baghlan continued, with unconfirmed reports that wellresourced families are leaving Kunduz city in fear of a spring offensive. In Baghlan, ongoing conflict continues to cause displacement, with 329 IDPs verified so far. Assessments are ongoing. In Faryab, fighting between armed groups associated with rival political parties continues to escalate, which could cause further displacement and reduction of humanitarian access. In Kunduz, WHO confirmed a polio case in Dasht-e-Archi, the third confirmed case of polio country-wide this year.
Southern: Military operations continued in Hilmand and Kandahar, while sporadic clashes occurred in Uruzgan and Zabul. Of note, NSAG recaptured the DAC in Sangin, Hilmand, albeit without significant displacements reported. In Uruzgan, ongoing assessments in Tirin Kot has verified 12,481 IDPs.
Western: The security situation deteriorated across the region this week, including with intense fighting in Badghis. In Qala-eNaw,
Badghis, 1,184 IDPs were verified. Elsewhere in the region, intra-NSAG fighting in Hirat reportedly resulted in destruction of civilians homes, with no displacements reported as yet. Clashes were also reported in Shindand, Hirat, and in areas of Ghor and Farah, with no displacements reported as yet.
Eastern: The security situation in Eastern region was comparatively calmer in the past week, with contested districts in Nangarhar the main areas affected. In Kunar, cross-border shelling continues on a daily basis. Assessments are ongoing for the more than 700 unverified displaced.
Central: Clashes between government forces and NSAGs continued in Ghazni, Parwan and Khost provinces during the past week. In particular, Khost has recorded a marked increase in security incidents, with reports of 1,200 unverified individuals recently displaced. In Parwan, security also continues to deteriorate, with 1,715 unverified individuals reported displaced to Kabul. Assessments are ongoing.
