KABUL, Sept. 1 : A new United Nations report has unveiled the human cost of more than a decade of armed conflict in Afghanistan, documenting that at least 40,000 civilians were killed and over 77,000 others injured between January 2009 and mid-August 2021.
The comprehensive assessment, released Tuesday by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, draws upon firsthand accounts gathered through interviews with 195 conflict survivors and their families, as well as consultation with 23 national and international non-governmental organizations serving the victims of violence, and dialogue with 23 Taliban officials.
Almost all people interviewed (95 percent) reported emotional or psychological harm, including depression, anxiety, flashbacks and other trauma-related symptoms, while over half (58 percent) experienced physical harm as a result of armed conflict, according to the report.
When asked about their needs, victims identified financial compensation (81 percent), access to justice (48 percent) and measures to prevent the recurrence of violations (47 percent), the report said.
The report urges all parties with responsibilities arising from the conflict to support accountability efforts and contribute to measures that address the rights and needs of victims.
