More than 68,000 children displaced by Afghanistan–Pakistan clashes, Save the Children says

More than 68,000 children in eastern Afghanistan have been displaced after clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces intensified along the border, according to a new report by Save the Children.

The humanitarian organisation says the escalation of fighting in eastern Afghanistan has forced about 68,000 children to flee their homes, leaving thousands without access to education and essential services.

In its latest report, Save the Children says about 134,000 people have been affected by disruptions to its programmes, including health, nutrition, child protection and education services.

The suspension of hundreds of classes and temporary learning centres has also left more than 8,000 children out of school, the organisation said.

The group says many children urgently need protection and psychosocial support after being displaced by the violence.

According to United Nations (UN) data cited in the report, at least 56 people have been killed and more than 120 injured since 26 February, the majority of them women and children.

The report comes as clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces continue along the border following Pakistani air strikes inside Afghanistan.

• International aid to Afghanistan should be reassessed, says the U.S.
• Fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan displaces more than 160,000, UN says
• Pakistan, Afghanistan trade strikes; ‘open war’ warning issued

Pakistan says the strikes targeted militant sanctuaries along the border. Afghan authorities say civilians were hit and have condemned the attacks as a violation of the country’s sovereignty, warning that retaliation would follow.

Both sides claim to have inflicted heavy casualties on each other, though those claims have not been independently verified.

Aid disruptions worsen humanitarian crisis

Save the Children says the fighting has deepened an already severe humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, where one in three people require food assistance.

The organisation says about 160,000 people have also been affected after the World Food Programme (WFP) paused food distributions in the affected areas.

Some families displaced by the clashes had already lost their homes in the August 2025 earthquake in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, forcing them to move again.

‘Children have lost everything’

Arshad Malik, Asia Regional Director for Save the Children, says the conflict is having devastating consequences for children.

He warned that many families had already been struggling with severe humanitarian needs.

“Tens of thousands of children have lost everything that gives them stability and security. They have been forced from their homes, cut off from education and healthcare, and stripped of protection,” Malik said.

He added that the organisation is urging all sides to halt the violence.

“The only way to truly protect children’s lives is to halt the violence. We urgently call on all parties to de-escalate the situation and ensure children are protected at all times,” he said.

Save the Children says it has so far provided health services to more than 6,000 people, deployed mobile health teams and delivered psychosocial support to hundreds of children in the affected areas.

Tags

News Politics Afghanistan Pakistan Children Safety Humanitarian Crisis United Nations Save the children