Decades of war have left deep and widespread trauma across Afghanistan, the UN has found

Afghanistan has experienced constant warfare for more than 40 years, causing much death, displacement and destruction.

Between 2009 and 2021 – as a battleground between coalition and coalition-backed Government forces, the Taliban and other militants – the UN mission in the country (UNAMA) documented more than 40,000 civilian deaths and more than 77,000 injured caused by the conflict.

The report focuses on the period of conflict up to the Taliban takeover, interviewing nearly 200 victims of the armed conflict and their relatives.

Endure danger

95 percent of people interviewed experienced emotional or psychological suffering, reporting depression, anxiety, memory loss, flashbacks, and other trauma-related symptoms.

Nearly 60 percent also experience physical injuries, and injuries continue to affect them for months, years, or even decades after the incident.

Some victims continue to suffer from chronic pain and disabilities that they find difficult to overcome due to financial constraints and/or the lack of health services available in Afghanistan.

For some people, their injuries make it impossible for them to continue their education and work, resulting in serious economic consequences for them and their families. In some cases, relatives also have to leave work or school to provide care.

Women widowed as a result of the conflict face economic insecurity, as restrictions imposed by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities limit their access to work.

There is no justice for the victims

But the victims of war cannot get justice.

More than half of respondents (55 percent) have never sought compensation or redress in any form, often because they believe their concerns will not be taken seriously – or because they fear retaliation.

Among those who tried, 64 percent reported that their efforts were unsuccessful. They cited bureaucratic obstacles, lack of response, perceptions of discrimination, and limited transparency when interacting with authorities or institutions.

When asked about their needs, victims identified financial compensation (81 percent), access to justice (48 percent) and personal security (47 percent).

“The interviews we conducted highlight the depth and breadth of ongoing collective trauma in Afghan society,” said Georgette Gagnon, UNAMA official.

“The key to meeting the needs of victims is recognition of the harm caused and a sincere commitment to prioritizing the voices and rights of victims,” ​​he stressed.