Afghanistan Operational updates - July 2026

The ICRC maintains a long-standing presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with more than 1,800 staff working across Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, Mazar‑i‑Sharif, Jalalabad, Khost, Kunduz, Lashkar Gah, Islamabad and Peshawar. Together with the Afghan Red Crescent Society and the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, we coordinate closely across the wider Movement and with UN partners to ensure assistance reaches communities quickly and efficiently. In late February, we publicly called for restraint and de‑escalation and continue engaging all parties to promote respect for international humanitarian law and safeguard civilian access to essential services.

Since then, our teams have been mobilized across both countries to assess needs and respond rapidly. As of 17 March 2026, we have supported 20 health facilities in Afghanistan, delivering emergency medical supplies to hospitals treating weapon‑wounded patients in Khost, Kunar, Nangarhar and Kandahar, and equipping Afghan Red Crescent emergency teams. In Pakistan, emergency medical and forensic supplies have been delivered to hospitals in border areas such as Bajaur, with additional stocks pre‑positioned across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to help facilities manage an influx of wounded patients.

Across both contexts, we continue monitoring the conflict; supporting affected families with cash assistance; delivering emergency relief items, shelter materials and safe water; supplying hospitals with medical materials; deploying mobile health teams; strengthening physical rehabilitation services; supporting the dignified management of human remains; repairing critical infrastructure; and pre‑positioning relief stocks to ensure rapid response as needs evolve.

The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan — and in other severely underfunded contexts — remains largely out of the global spotlight. These emergencies receive limited media attention and funding, leaving vulnerable people to face prolonged malnutrition, disease and preventable deaths. The ICRC remains committed to reaching communities in these overlooked areas, ensuring help gets to where it is needed most, even when the world isn’t watching.

Thank you so much for supporting our important work in Afghanistan.