2.3.1. Displacement and return

Table of contents

2.3.1. Displacement and return

The conflict between the Taliban and the previous government caused large displacement, with an average of 380 000 people becoming displaced per year across the whole country, according to Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC). After the Taliban takeover, conflict-induced displacement stopped almost completely, according to the same source.727 Most displacement taking place after 2021 has been induced by climate change and natural disasters.728

Nevertheless, 4.2 million people were estimated to live in internal displacement due to conflict and violence in 2024, and 3 200 new movements were recorded this year due to violence along the border with Pakistan, mainly in Khost Province.729 Although not providing any figures, the UN Secretary-General noted that civilians had been displaced in border areas in 2024, including following clashes between Pakistani security forces and Afghan de facto security forces in Shorabak (Kandahar Province) on 6 and 9 October 2024, and following shelling in Dangam (Kunar Province) on 7 October 2024.730

In 2025 (as of 12 October), UN OCHA recorded 7 467 conflict-induced displacements, taking place in the provinces of Nangarhar and Kunar. This included 6 675 individuals being displaced from the district of Mohmandara and 694 individuals from the district of Durbaba (both located in Nangarhar Province) and 98 individuals being displaced from Nari district (Kunar Province). UN OCHA also noted that constrained humanitarian access prevents verifying the full extent of displacement.731 Local de facto authorities however stated that about 20 000 families had been displaced from Spin Boldak following Pakistani airstrikes in October 2025.732

The UN Secretary-General also reported on 250 families being displaced from the district Sarkani (Kunar Province) on 10 January 2025, following mortar fire and heavy clashes between Afghan de facto security forces and Pakistani security forces.733

UNHCR reported on 649 IDPs returning to various provinces in 2025 (as of 30 November);734 see Figure 4 on the previous page.

  • 727

    IDMC, One year on: the Taliban takeover and Afghanistan's changing displacement crisis, August 2022, url

  • 728

    IOM, Climate Crisis Drives Displacement, Worsens Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Needs: IOM Report, 27 February 2025, url

  • 729

    IDMC, Country Profile, Afghanistan, 15 May 2025, url

  • 730

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 6 December 2024, url, para. 16

  • 731

    UN OCHA, Afghanistan: Conflict Induced Displacements, 24 November 2025, url

  • 732

    TOLOnews, 20,000 Families Displaced by Pakistani Airstrikes in Kandahar, 18 October 2025, url

  • 733

    UN General Assembly and UN Security Council, The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, 21 February 2025, url, para. 21

  • 734

    UNHCR, Forced Displacement and Returns in Afghanistan, 20 December 2025, url