Countrywide Conflict Displacement
As of 4 June, a total of just under 118,300 people have fled their homes due to conflict since the beginning of the year. This is a 44 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2016 (170,954). Forced displacement has occurred in 29 of 34 provinces of the country.
Northern/North Eastern: Military operations by AfANSF and IM in the Telawka area went into their second week. ANSF also conducted military operations in Khanabad district, Kunduz province. Reportedly, hundreds of individuals have been displaced to Kunduz city and Asqalan, an area where IEDs are prevalent. In Badakshan, 2,656 people were reportedly displaced within districts of Zebak and Eshkashiem due to ongoing military operations between ANSF and NSAGs. Assessments are underway for these cases. Since the beginning of the year, 53,724 individuals have been displaced in the region, 45 percent of the countrywide total.
Southern: Regular clashes between ANSF and NSAGs continued in Hilmand, Kandahar and Uruzgan provinces. In Hilmand, several hundred stocked bails of wheat were reportedly burned during attacks and military operations in the Nad-e-Ali/Marja area, increasing the vulnerability and food insecurity of affected communities. No significant displacements occurred during the reporting period. Since January, 33,568 individuals have been displaced in the south and southeastern regions, 28 percent of this year’s total.
Western: The security situation has remained relatively calm, although 273 individuals were reportedly displaced to Hirat city from Badghis and Ghor and Shindand districts of Hirat province and 651 individuals arrived in Chaghcharan city, Ghor provincial capital from surrounding districts and Badghis following clashes between NSAGs and the ANSF. Assessments are planned in the coming days. In 2017, 10,867 individuals have been displaced in the region, around 9 percent of total.
Eastern: Cross-border shelling continued, albeit at significantly less intense rates than in recent months. Clashes continued in Nangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan provinces during the past week with sporadic displacement reported. 196 individuals were displaced from Kunar, Nuristan and Nangarhar province. So far in 2017, 12,892 individuals have been displaced in the region, 13 per cent of the countrywide total.
Central: The security situation in the capital seriously deteriorated during the reporting period. More than 90 people were killed and over 450 wounded when a truck loaded with explosives detonated on 31 May in downtown Kabul. Some 7 people were killed in clashes between police and protesters the following day. Elsewhere in the region, 1,463 individuals have reportedly been displaced within Logar province and from Kunduz, Nangarhar, Laghman, Baghlan and Takhar to Kabul province. Assessments are ongoing. In 2017, 7,247 people have been displaced in the region, accounting for 6 percent of the overall total.
Refugees and Returnees
A total of 1,888 undocumented Afghans spontaneously returned or were deported from Pakistan through Torkham border crossing from 28 May to 03 June, a 63 per cent decrease from the previous week, bringing the year total to 66,961. Since 1 January, 145,148 undocumented Afghans have also returned from Iran bringing the total returnee population in 2017 to 212,109.
As of 03 June, 32,015 registered Afghans have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan, Iran and other countries under the UNHCR Repatriation programme. Around 99 percent of all registered refugees returning to Afghanistan in 2017 are from Pakistan.
The significant decrease in undocumented and documented returnees entering into Afghanistan in the past week coincides with the start of Ramadan.
Ongoing Response Activities * (please see page 2)
Central: In Maydan Wardak and Bamyan province UNHCR and Solidarities International provided cash to 623 conflict IDPs. In Khost, WFP distributed food to 1,100 people, and in Paktika UNHCR distributed over 500 tents to refugees from Pakistan. In Kabul, IR provided NFIs assistance to 581 conflict IDPs.
North/ North Eastern: In Samangan, PIN distributed cash to 966 conflict IDPs. In Balkh, NRC distributed cash to 287 conflict IDPs. In Kunduz, ACTED and DACAAR provided cash and hygiene kits to 1,834 conflict IDPs.
Western: In Hirat city, NRC, WFP and DACAAR provided cash, food and hygiene kits to 273 conflict IDPs.
Eastern: In Nangarhar and Laghman, NRC, CASA, ARCS, SCI and WFP distributed cash, food and NFIs to 1,519 conflict IDPs. In Laghman and Nangarhar, CWSA, SVA, UNICEF, IOM, WFP, ZOA/SHPOUL, AADA, UNHCR, ARCS, WHO and UNFPA provided NFIs, food, hygiene kits, Vitamin-A supplement, deworming tablets, malnourished children and PLWs referral and health and hygiene promotion sessions to returnees.
Access Constraints and Security Incidents
Southern: The reopening of an investigation of corruption with humanitarian partners by local authorities has caused the suspension of humanitarian activities in Lashkargah, Hilmand province. A year back, provincial attorney office summoned NGOs to respond to an alleged case of embezzlement of humanitarian assistance. The case was addressed by then however, lately the provincial governor office re-opened the case to carry out further investigations.