HIGHLIGHTS
Conflict-induced displacement in 2016 40 percent higher than in 2015
2017 Afghanistan HRP seeks $550 million to meet humanitarian needs
Relief organizations report spike in security incidents involving staff
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Ongoing armed conflict and recurring natural hazards, such as avalanches, earthquakes, and flooding, continue to generate significant humanitarian needs throughout Afghanistan. The conflict has intensified during recent fighting seasons, increasing civilian casualties and displacement in the country. In addition, the deterioration of the refugee hosting environment in Pakistan has resulted in a surge of Afghan returnees who require humanitarian assistance. Together, the increase in conflict-induced internal displacement and the surge in returns have strained the response capacity of local communities, humanitarian agencies, and the Government of Afghanistan (GoA). The UN projects that approximately 1 million people will remain internally displaced in 2017, including 300,000–400,000 conflict-displaced persons and 600,000 returnees.
During the first three months of 2017, humanitarian staff were involved or targeted in 92 security-related events, resulting in the deaths of seven aid workers and injuries to four, the UN reports. On February 8, six staff from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were killed in Jawzjan Province during an ambush of a convoy transporting humanitarian assistance. Throughout 2016, 15 aid workers died while providing assistance to people in need.
