Victims of Afghanistan’s armed conflict continue to endure deep physical, psychological, social and economic harm, often with little access to justice, adequate assistance or public acknowledgement of what they have suffered, according to a new report released by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.
The report focuses primarily on the period of conflict between 2001 and the Taliban takeover on 15 August 2021, and draws on interviews with 195 victims of the fighting and their relatives. It offers one of the more detailed accounts to date of how the consequences of that conflict continue to shape the lives of ordinary Afghans years after major hostilities ended.
Victims of Afghanistan’s Armed Conflict Report Lasting Trauma
Nearly all of those interviewed, 95 percent, reported emotional or psychological harm, including depression, anxiety, flashbacks and other trauma-related symptoms. More than half, 58 percent, said they had experienced physical harm as a direct result of the conflict, with many continuing to live with chronic pain or disabilities acquired from their injuries.
Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and Officer-in-Charge of UNAMA, said the interviews revealed the depth and breadth of collective trauma still present within Afghan society. She said the events of the past continue to affect many victims and their families today, and stressed that addressing their needs requires both an acknowledgement of the harm done and a genuine commitment to placing victims’ voices and rights at the center of any response.
UNAMA Report Highlights Barriers to Justice
The findings point to significant obstacles standing between victims and any form of redress. More than half of those interviewed, 55 percent, said they had never attempted to seek justice, compensation or other remedies, largely because they believed their concerns would not be taken seriously or feared retaliation if they came forward. Among those who did pursue assistance or accountability, 64 percent said their efforts had been unsuccessful.
People interviewed for the report described a range of obstacles when engaging with authorities or institutions, including bureaucratic hurdles, a lack of response, perceived discrimination and limited transparency in how their cases were handled.
Economic Hardship and Limited Support
Beyond the immediate trauma of the conflict, many victims described struggling to afford medical treatment, repair damaged homes or provide for their families in its aftermath. Women who were widowed by the conflict were found to face particular economic insecurity, a situation the report links to restrictions imposed by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities that limit women’s access to employment.
When asked what they needed most, victims most frequently cited financial compensation, mentioned by 81 percent of respondents, followed by access to justice, cited by 48 percent, and measures to prevent similar violations from recurring in the future, cited by 47 percent.
Calls for a Victim-Centered Approach
The report argues for a comprehensive, victim-centered approach to addressing the legacy of decades of conflict in Afghanistan, and urges all parties bearing responsibility for harm caused during the fighting to support accountability efforts and contribute to measures that meet the rights and needs of victims. It frames such an approach as essential not only for individual redress but for the broader process of acknowledging collective harm within Afghan society.
Recommendations for Authorities and Member States
The report sets out specific steps the de facto authorities should take to ensure the rights of conflict victims are realized, including the establishment of comprehensive programs for redress and other forms of victim assistance. It also calls on UN member states to ensure that humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan is shaped by the needs and priorities identified by victims of the armed conflict themselves, rather than determined solely from the outside.
Conclusion
The report underscores that, more than five years after the end of major hostilities, the consequences of Afghanistan’s armed conflict remain very much alive for those who lived through it. By centering the voices of victims of Afghanistan’s armed conflict and setting out concrete recommendations for both domestic authorities and the international community, UNAMA aims to keep pressure on all relevant parties to translate acknowledgement of past harm into meaningful, victim-centered action.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, September 6th, 2026
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
