Joint Statement: Humanitarian NGOs condemn civilian toll in Kabul airstrikes and call for respect for International Humanitarian Law

17 March 2026 – 17 humanitarian NGOs operating in Afghanistan are profoundly alarmed by hundreds of civilian casualties in Kabul, Afghanistan, following heavy airstrikes on the capital on the 16th of March 2026. We urge international efforts to support deescalation.

The airstrike comes following months of tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, including regular border clashes and multiple air strikes. Over 115,000 civilians are already reportedly displaced, including high numbers of children. The conflict has also led to border closures, disrupting the flow of imports and leading to a rise in the price of essential items.

The most recent airstrikes hit a drug dependency treatment hospital in Kabul. Hundreds of people are reported to have been killed, with the death toll expected to rise further as rescue missions are still underway. We urgently remind all parties to the conflict of their absolute obligations under international humanitarian law: civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times and must never be the object of attack.

We will continue our humanitarian operations on the ground, including providing assistance to displaced families, and emergency treatment for those injured in the most recent attack.

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SIGN ON:

1. AFRANE (Amitié franco-afghane)

2. Action Against Hunger

3. Caritas Germany

4. DACAAR

5. DPA / DAARTT (Danish People’s Aid / Danish Assistance to Afghan Rehabilitation

and Technical Training)

6. Danish Refugee Council

7. La Chaîne de l'Espoir

8. Hagar International in Afghanistan

9. Médecins du Monde

10. Mission East

11. Norwegian Refugee Council

12. Operation Mercy Afghanistan

13. Première Urgence Internationale

14. Solidarités International

15. Terre des Hommes Foundation

16. War Child UK 

17. World Vision Afghanistan