24/03/2026
Humanitarian Crisis in Nuristan; Save the People of Barg-e-Matal and Kamdesh
For nearly a month, residents of Barg-e-Matal and Kamdesh districts in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, have been facing a severe humanitarian and security crisis due to continuous attacks by Pakistani militias. These attacks, carried out using heavy artillery and light weapons, are ongoing, and civilians have been the primary victims.
Militias are positioned in elevated areas, allowing them to easily target villages and residential communities. As a result of these attacks, many homes have been destroyed, and civilians have suffered casualties. People's lives are under constant threat, and fear has become part of daily life.
Residents in Barg-e-Matal are under strict siege. Roads are blocked, and people are unable to leave the area. Those who attempt to escape face serious security threats, and in many cases, they are not allowed to leave.
The shortage of food supplies is worsening day by day, and many families are facing hunger. At the same time, the lack of basic medical assistance has further deteriorated the condition of the wounded and the sick. Children, women, and the elderly are the most affected by this crisis.
Due to the ongoing attacks, a large number of families have been displaced. Some have fled to Parun, the provincial center, while others have moved to Kunar and Nangarhar provinces.
However, many people remain trapped in these areas with no way out. They are living under extremely harsh conditions and face serious danger at every moment.
The people of the region strongly urge the government, humanitarian organizations, and the international community, including the , UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UNICEF, World Food Programme, World Health Organization, International Committee of the Red Cross, International Organization for Migration, Médecins Sans Frontières, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International to take immediate action:
• Take serious steps to stop the attacks
• Deliver urgent humanitarian assistance
• Take practical measures to end the siege
• Ensure the protection of civilians
If urgent action is not taken, this situation could turn into a large-scale humanitarian disaster.
UNICEF IOM - UN Migration UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency United Nations UN Women Save the Children US World Health Organization (WHO) World Food Programme International Committee of the Red Cross Human Rights Watch
