ecoi.net featured topic on Afghanistan: Security situation and socio-economic situation in Herat-City and Mazar-e Sharif

ecoi.net's featured topics offer an overview on selected issues. This featured topic covers the security situation and the socio-economic situation in Herat and Mazar-e Sharif. The featured topics are presented in the form of excerpts from documents, coming from selected sources. Compiled by ACCORD.

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1. Timeline of incidents in Herat district since January 2018
2. Timeline of incidents in Mazar-e Sharif district since January 2018
3. Socio-economic situation in Herat-City and Mazar-e Sharif
3.1. Food Supply
3.2. Health Care
3.3. Daily-wage labour in Herat
4. Sources

Please note: In ecoi.net’s English interface, the featured topics are presented in the form of direct quotations from documents. This may lead to non-English language content being quoted. German language translations/summaries of these quotations are available when you switch to ecoi.net’s German language interface.

Security situation and socio-economic situation in Herat-City and Mazar-e Sharif

An ACCORD query response on the security and socio-economic situation in Herat-City dated April 2020 can be found here (in German):

• ACCORD – Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation: Anfragebeantwortung zu Afghanistan: Lokale Sicherheits- und Versorgungslage der Stadt Herat: Sicherheitslage in den einzelnen Vierteln bzw. der Peripherie; Wohnregionen mit den meisten IDPs, RückkehrerInnen; Unterscheidungen hinsichtlich der Volksgruppenzugehörigkeit; sichere Erreichbarkeit der Innenstadt auf dem Landweg (insbesondere vom Flughafen bzw. den informellen Siedlungen außerhalb der Stadt aus); Besonderheiten aufgrund der Corona-Pandemie [a-11210-1], 23 April 2020
  https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2030080.html

An ACCORD query response on the security and socio-economic situation in Mazar-e Sharif dated April 2020 can be found here (in German):

• ACCORD – Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation: Anfragebeantwortung zu Afghanistan: Lokale Sicherheits- und Versorgungslage der Stadt Masar-e Scharif und Umgebung: Sicherheitslage in den einzelnen Vierteln bzw. der Peripherie; Wohnregionen mit den meisten Binnenvertriebenen, RückkehrerInnen; Unterscheidungen hinsichtlich der Volksgruppenzugehörigkeit; sichere Erreichbarkeit der Innenstadt auf dem Landweg (insbesondere vom Flughafen bzw. den informellen Siedlungen außerhalb der Stadt aus); Besonderheiten aufgrund der Corona-Pandemie [a-11210-2 (11211)], 30 April 2020
  https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2030099.html

1. Timeline of incidents in Herat district since January 2019

2021

“On 20 January 2021, at least 3 soldiers were killed and 4 were wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in the limits of PD9, Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“On 19 January 2021, 5 Afghan security personnel were killed and wounded when their ranger pickup was hit by a Taliban-planted IED in the Gazergah area of Herat city. (Voice of Jihad reported unknown fatalities.)” [ACLED coded fatalities as 0] (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

2020

“On 27 December 2020, 1 civilian was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in the Metrah area of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“On 30 November 2020, 1 Afghan army soldier was killed and 4 wounded by unidentified gunmen in PD12 Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“On 9 November 2020, 1 tribal elder was killed by unknown gunmen in PD15 of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“On 8 November 2020, unknown gunmen shot dead a prosecutor on his way to work in Herat city. Unclear who was behind the attack.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“On 4 November 2020, at least 5 Afghan security personnel were killed and wounded when their tank was hit by a Taliban-planted IED in the Asferz Base area of Herat city. (Voice of Jihad reported unknown fatalities.)” [ACLED coded fatalities as 0] (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“On 4 November 2020, 1 Afghan security personnel commander was killed following an ambush by Taliban militants in the Chaharda area of Herat city.” (reported by Voice of Jihad) [ACLED coded fatalities as 0] (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“On 1 November 2020, 3 policemen were killed and 2 wounded in a bomb blast in the area of Payan Aab, PD10 of Herat city that targeted a police checkpoint. The explosion damaged 'dozens' of shops and houses in the nearby. No group has claimed the explosion.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“On 29 October 2020, 1 policeman was killed following an attack by Taliban militants in PD9 of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“On 28 October 2020, 8 prisoners were killed and 12 more wounded in a prison riot between the inmates and the guards when the prisoners attempted to set a prison block on fire in Herat City. AFP said 7 prisoners died after they swallowed 'poisonous' pills stolen from the jail's clinic during the riot.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“On 24 October 2020, 3 children were injured in a bomb blast in a village in the eastern part of Herat City, Herat. Unclear who planted the bomb.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“On 21 October 2020, unknown gunmen killed a tribal elder in Police District 5 of Herat City.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“On 19 October 2020, 1 security guard of a private school was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in PD9 of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“On 3 October 2020 an influential Arbaki member was killed in the city of Herat by Taliban [reported by Voice of Jihadi].” [ACLED coded fatalities as 0] (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 13 September 2020, unidentified gunmen shot dead a traffic police officer in PD7 of Herat city.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 28 August 2020, 4 civilians were wounded when a bomb exploded inside an ice cream shop in PD5 of Herat city. It's unclear who planted the bomb.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 26 August 2020, 1 NDS member was killed while he was trying to defuse a bomb in PD13 of Herat city. It's unclear who planted the bomb.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 25 August 2020, 1 soldier was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in PD12 of Herat city.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 24 August 2020, 1 woman was killed and 4 civilians were wounded by a hand grenade which was thrown in their house in Herat city. It's unclear who threw it.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 21 August 2020, 1 policeman was killed by unknown gunmen in the Gange village of PD7, Herat city.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 11 August 2020, 5 Shiite civilians were killed and wounded by an IS-planted IED in Herat city.” [ACLED coded fatalities as 2, “due to the unclear nature of the casualties”] (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 8 August 2020, 1 policeman was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in the Nasim Abad village of PD11, Herat city.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“Around 5 August 2020 (as reported), unidentified armed men threw hand grenades at civilians in Herat district, injuring 15 people.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 3 August 2020, an unidentified gunman shot and killed an Afghan police officer in the PD2 of Herat city, Hirat, Herat.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 31 July 2020, at least 14 civilians were wounded by an explosion in the Tank-e-Mawlawi area of Herat city. It's unclear who planted the bomb.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 29 July 2020, 3 civilians, Shiite Muslims, were killed and 5 were wounded when an IS-planted bomb attached to their minibus exploded in the Mehal-e-Haji Abbas village, PD12 of Herat city.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 17 July 2020, Taliban fighters attacked Afghan police PD6 headquarters of Herat city, Herat, leaving 1 fighter, 2 policemen, and 3 civilians dead, and 4 others injured.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“Around 16 July 2020 (as reported), 1 Taliban militant was killed by ANDSF forces in Herat city.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 20 June 2020, 3 security guards were killed, 3 other guards and 1 civilian were wounded when a roadside bomb targeted Herat's province Customs chief outside Herat city.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 2 May 2020, 1 policeman was killed and 1 was wounded when they were shot by unknown gunmen in PD [police district] 12 of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 May 2020)

“On 30 April 2020, a judge of a provincial court was killed by unknown gunman in PD12 of Herat city. The gunman was arrested later.” (ACLED, 26 May 2020)

“Security measures: On 25 March 2020, a lockdown took effect in Farah, Herat, and Nimruz provinces to limit the spread of the coronavirus. These provinces are close to Iran.” (ACLED, 26 May 2020)

“On 18 March 2020, Taliban militants ambushed and killed 1 police officer, in Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 May 2020)

“On 15 March 2020, Taliban militants ambushed and killed 1 Afghan military special forces commander, in the Shidai area of PD8, Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 May 2020)

“On 1 March 2020, a Taliban fighter killed his mother, a female police officer (off-duty), in PD11 of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 May 2020)

“On 10 February 2020, 1 policeman was killed by Taliban militants on a motorbike in PD 2 of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 May 2020)

“On 7 February 2020, 1 police commando commander was mistakenly killed by Afghan soldiers when he didn't stop his vehicle at a check point in the Nawabad area of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 May 2020)

“On 9 January 2020, 1 soldier (Taliban reported an NDS [National Directorate of Security] employee) was killed following an ambush by Taliban militants in the Abdullah Abad area of Herat city.” (ACLED, 14 January 2020)

2019

“On 27 December 2019, 2 soldiers including a commander were killed following an attack by Taliban militants in the 'Bal Pishto' area in the limits of Herat city.” (ACLED, 14 January 2020)

“On 15 December 2019, 3 policemen and 2 unidentified gunmen were killed in an armed clash, and 1 policeman and 4 civilians were wounded, in the PD [Police District] 10 of Herat city. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.” (ACLED, 14 January 2020)

“On 14 December 2019, unknown gunmen shot and killed 1 employee of Afghanistan's Electoral Complaints Commission, in Herat city.” (ACLED, 14 January 2020)

“On 13 December 2019, 3 policemen were killed following attacks by Taliban militants on a check point in the PD12 Maslak area of Herat city.” (ACLED, 14 January 2020)

“On 08 December 2019, Taliban militants ambushed and killed 1 NDS agent, in Shaydai of Hirat district, Herat.” (ACLED, 14 January 2020)

“As reported on 21 November 2019, over the past 24 hours, 3 Taliban and/or IS militants were killed and 1 was wounded when Afghan military forces repulsed their attacks in Ghoryan district and the limits of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 November 2019) ii

“On 01 November 2019, 1 Afghan security personnel was killed following an ambush by Taliban militants in the Ganj area of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 November 2019)

“On 30 October 2019, 1 policeman was killed and 2 civilians were wounded following an attack by unknown militants in the Moshk Waniha village, 7 PD of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 November 2019)

“On 30 October 2019, 1 'Arbaki' was killed following an ambush by Taliban militants in the Babaji area of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 November 2019)

“On 29 October 2019, 1 retired soldier was killed by unknown gunmen in the Kahdestan village of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 November 2019)

“On 29 October 2019, Taliban militants ambushed and killed an Afghan military commander, in Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 November 2019)

“On 28 October 2019, 1 civilian was killed and 6 were wounded when a suicide bomber blew himself up close to the Imam Hadi mosque in the Darb-e-Khosh area of Herat city. Total fatality count included the bomber.” (ACLED, 26 November 2019)

“On October 17 2019, 2 policemen were killed following an attack by unknown attackers on a motorbike in PD7 of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 November 2019)

“On 27 August 2019, Taliban militants ambushed and killed 3 policemen, and injured 1, in Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 September 2019)

“On 26 August 2019 at 9am, Taliban fighters ambushed and killed a regime officer in the Abdullah Abad area of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 September 2019)

“On 8 August 2019, two gunmen on a motorcycle shot and killed a police officer and injured another in Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 September 2019)

“On 7 August 2019, a magnetic bomb placed in a car by unidentified militants exploded in Herat city. 8 civilians (2 children, 2 women, 4 men) were injured.” (ACLED, 26 September 2019)

“On 05 August 2019, an IED planted on a motorcycle by IS killed 4-5 Shiite civilians and injured 20-29 in Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 September 2019)

“On 23 June 2019, Taliban militants ambushed and killed 1 NDS agent, in Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 September 2019)

“On 20 05 2019, Taliban militants ambushed and killed an Afghan soldier, in Herat city.” (ACLED, 28 May 2019)

“On 16-May-2019, 1 Afghan soldier was killed by Taliban militants in the Shedaie area of Herat city.” (ACLED, 28 May 2019)

“As reported on 11-May-2019, 4 Taliban militants were killed, 2 were wounded, and 6 mines were defused by Afghan Police Forces on the Herat-Kandahar highway in Herat province.” […] “On 12-April-2019, 4 Taliban militants were killed, 2 were wounded, and 6 mines were defused by Afghan Military Forces in Herat province.” (ACLED, 22 June 2019)

“On 19-April-2019, 3 National Directorate of Security officers were killed and 2 were wounded by explosions conducted by unidentified armed militants in Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 April 2019)

“On 31-March-2019, 2 Afghan soldiers were killed and 1 Taliban militant was wounded in clashes in the PD4 area of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 April 2019)

“On 28-March-2019, 1 Afghan soldier was killed by Taliban militants in Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 April 2019)

“On 19-March-2019, 1 civilian was killed and 6 were wounded by an IED blast conducted by unidentified armed militants in the 9th Police district of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 April 2019)

“On 19-March-2019, 2 Afghan soldiers were killed, 1 pickup was destroyed, and 1 pistol and 1 rifle were seized after a bomb blast conducted by Taliban militants in Herat province.” (ACLED, 22 June 2019)

“As reported on 12-March-2019, 1 soldier was killed by a sniper in the Sheidaie area of Herat city, Hirat district, Herat.” (ACLED, 26 April 2019)

“On 10-March-2019, 5 people were wounded by a magnetic bomb in Herat city, Hirat district, Herat. No group claimed responsibility.” (ACLED, 26 April 2019)

“On 09-March-2019, a tribal elder was shot and killed by 2 unknown gunmen on a motorcycle in Herat city, Hirat district, Herat.” (ACLED, 26 April 2019)

“As reported on 04-March-2019, 1 unidentified armed militant was killed by Afghan Police in the 5th Police district in Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 April 2019)

“On 23-February-2019, 1 Afghan Policeman was killed by unidentified armed militants in Herat city. 1 of the attackers was later captured.” (ACLED, 26 April 2019)

“On 23-February-2019, 1 Afghan soldier was killed and 1 was wounded by Taliban militants in Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 April 2019)

“On 16-February-2019, 1 civilian who was head of religious and hajj affairs was killed by unidentified armed militants in Herat province.” (ACLED, 22 June 2019)

“On 30-January-2019, 2 Afghan soldiers were killed and 1 was wounded by a mine blast conducted by Taliban militants in the Spina Ada area of Herat city.” (ACLED, 26 April 2019)

“On 13-January-2019, it was reported that 1 Taliban militant, 3 Afghan Policemen, and 2 civilians were killed in an attack in the Pul-e-Rangina area of PD6, Herat city. Afghan Special Forces defused a carbomb during the clashes.” (ACLED, 26 April 2019)

“On 12-January-2019, 1 Taliban militant, 3 police officers, 2 civilians were killed after Taliban militants stormed into a police station in the Pul-e-Rangina area of police district 6, Herat city. 3 police officers were wounded in the clashes.” (ACLED, 22 June 2019)

“On 04-January-2019, 1 Afghan soldier was killed and 1 rifle was seized by Taliban militants in the Kandahar Terminal area of Herat city.” (ACLED, 22 June 2019)

2. Timeline of incidents in Mazar-e Sharif district since January 2019

2021

“12 January: A vehicle transferring female soldiers working in Shaheen Army Corps was attacked by unknown gunmen in the Fifth Police District of Mazar-e-Sharif City, the provincial capital, killing two soldiers and wounding three others, including two women and one driver.” (NYT, 21 January 2021)iii

“3 January: A police officer was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in the Khaled Bin Waleed area of Mazar-e-Sharif, the provincial capital. The attackers managed to escape from the area.” (NYT, 21 January 2021)

“3 January: A former jihadi commander was shot and killed inside a mosque in the Fourth Police District of Mazar-e-Sharif. The attackers managed to escape from the area.“ (NYT, 21 January 2021)

2020

“On 25 November 2020, 1 local police commander was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in the limits of PD5 of Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“Around 22 November 2020 (as reported), 3 Afghan security personnel were wounded in Taliban-planted bomb blast that hit their vehicle in Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh province.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“Around 6 November 2020 (as reported), 2 policemen were wounded when their vehicle was hit by Taliban-planted IEDs in Mazar-e Sharif district, Balkh.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“Around 3 November 2020 (as reported), two Taliban-planted IEDs exploded on the vehicles were carrying the pro-government local militia in the city of Mazar-e Sharif, Balkh. 2 militia men were wounded in the explosion.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“Around 3 November 2020 (as reported), 1 civilians was wounded in a bomb blast that was planted in a bicycle in Alokozay square of Mazar-e Sharif city in Balkh. Security officials blamed the Taliban for the attack.” (ACLED, 26 January 2021)

“On 5 October 2020, Balkh governor's former driver was killed by unknown attackers in PD 4 area of Mazar-e Sharif City, Balkh.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 22 September 2020, unidentified gunmen abducted the head of the moneychangers union in Mazar-e Sharif city, Mazar-e Sharif, Balkh. Resulting in dozens of moneychangers closing their shops in protest for the lack of security.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 19 September 2020, 1 civilian, a woman, was killed and 5 civilians were wounded by a bomb in PD1 of Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh. It's unclear who planted the bomb. Target was Afghan Military Forces.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 30 August 2020, 1 policeman was shot and killed by unknown gunmen in PD9 of Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 20 August 2020, unidentified armed men attacked Afghan Public Protection Forces in the Rig area connecting Mazar-e Sharif to Hairatan highway of Balkh province, killing 1 officer and injuring 1 Uzbek citizen.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“Detonation: On 20 August 2020, an unidentified armed suicide bomber was killed after his explosives detonated in Mazar-e Sharif district, Balkh. It is unclear if the bomb detonated by mistake or intentionally. No further information.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 1 July 2020, at least 1 civilian and 1 policeman were killed, 5 civilians and 4-5 ANDSF members were wounded by 2 IEDs in PD3 of Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh. The policeman died the next morning.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“Around 28 June 2020, 3 civilians, employees of a construction company, were killed by unknown gunmen in Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh.” (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 23 May 2020, the house of a pro-government militia commander was struck by an IED in Mazar-e Sharif district, Balkh. Casualties unknown.” [ACLED coded fatalities as 0] (ACLED, 14 October 2020)

“On 16 March 2020, a bomb suspected to be planted by Taliban militants killed 1 policeman and wounded 1-2 policemen and 3 civilians, in PD8 of Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh.” (ACLED, 26 May 2020)

“On 14 January 2020, a bomb planted by an unidentified armed group killed 2 children, in PD9 of Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh. 7 civilians and the governor's bodyguard were wounded by a subsequent explosion when they arrived to the scene.” (ACLED, 26 May 2020)

“On 4 January 2020, 1 civilian was killed and 2-3 were wounded by an explosion in the PD10 in the limits of Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh. It's unclear who planted the bomb.” (ACLED, 14 January 2020)

2019

“On 17 December 2019, a bomb planted by an unidentified armed group injured 11 civilians, 6 policemen, and 1 soldier in Mazar-e Sharif district, Balkh.” (ACLED, 14 January 2020)

“On 14 December 2019, Afghan police forces clashed with gunmen loyal to Nizamuddin Qaisari, a key figure of Junbish-i-Milli Islami, while they attempted to arrest the militia commander in the center of Mazar-i-Sharif. 10 militants were killed and 45 were arrested, but Qaisari escaped arrest.” (ACLED, 14 January 2020)

“On 13 October 2019, unknown gunmen shot and killed a religious scholar, in PD4 of Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh.” (ACLED, 26 November 2019)

“As reported on September 30 2019, a 9 years old girl was beheaded by unidentified men in Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh.” (ACLED, 26 November 2019)

“On 10 September 2019, an IED planted by Taliban killed 7 NDS agents, in Mazar-e Sharif district, Balkh.” (ACLED, 26 September 2019)

“On 10 September 2019, a bomb planted by an unidentified armed group injured 2 civilians in Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh.” (ACLED, 26 September 2019)

“On 9 August 2019, a Taliban-planted landmine blew up a military tank in Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh. 5 soldiers were killed.” (ACLED, 26 September 2019)

“On July 08 2019, 1 'Arbaki' commander was killed following an attack by Taliban militants in Mazar-e Sharif district, Balkh.” (ACLED, 25 July 2019)

“On 07-May-2019, 3 unidentified armed militants were killed, and 5 civilians were wounded, in clashes between two armed groups in Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh province.” (ACLED, 28 May 2019)

“On 30-April-2019, 1 Afghan Policeman was killed and 2 others were wounded by a bomb explosion conducted by unidentified armed militants in Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh province.” (ACLED, 28 May 2019)

“On 30 04 2019, a landmine planted by Taliban destroyed a police vehicle, killing 2 policemen and injuring 1, in Mazar-e Sharif district, Balkh.” (ACLED, 28 May 2019)

“On 29-April-2019, 7 Taliban militants were killed and 6 militants and 5 Afghan soldiers were wounded in clashes in the Sharsharak area near the Mazar-e Sharif-Jowzjan highway in Mazar-e Sharif district, Balkh province.” (ACLED, 28 May 2019)

“On 27-March-2019, 2 Afghan Policemen were killed and 1 was wounded by Taliban militants in Mazar-e Sharif district, Balkh province. 1 Kalashnikov and 1 100 round rifle were seized by the militants.” (ACLED, 26 April 2019)

“On 16-March-2019, 1 "Arbaki" was killed by Taliban militants in Mazar-e Sharif city, Balkh province.” (ACLED, 26 April 2019)

“Gunfire has broken out in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif between police loyal to a powerful former provincial governor and Interior Ministry forces sent to support a new police chief who was appointed by President Ashraf Ghani. The March 14 gunbattle was sparked by the dispute between Ghani and Balkh Province's former governor, Atta Mohammad Noor, an ethnic Tajik former warlord whose militia fighters now form most of the provincial police force. Hospital officials in Mazar-e Sharif told RFE/RL that at least 13 people were hospitalized with gunshot wounds sustained during the March 14 fighting -- including eight police officers and five civilians.” (RFE/RL, 14 March 2019)iv

3. Socio-economic situation in Herat-City and Mazar-e Sharif

The following information focuses on the Afghan population in general and not specifically on the most vulnerable groups, such as internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees, whose situation may differ significantly. (See e.g. ACCORD, 7 December 2018)

3.1 Food Supply

FEWS NETv provides food security maps for Afghanistan on its website dating back to July 2009 (FEWS NET, no date (a)). Below is the map of the forecast for the period February to May 2021. According to the map, in the period February to May 2021 Herat reaches the third level phase 3 (“crisis”), of the classification system used by FEWS NET (see below for explanation). Mazar-e-Sharif reaches phase 2 of the classification system (“stressed”). (FEWS NET, December 2020)

In phase 1 of the 5-level scale, also called “minimal”, households are able to meet essential food and non-food needs without engaging in atypical and unsustainable strategies to access food and income. In phase 2, also called "stressed", households have minimally adequate food consumption but are unable to afford some essential non-food expenditures without engaging in stress-coping strategies. Phase 3, also known as "crisis", households either have food consumption gaps which are reflected by high or above-usual acute malnutrition; or are marginally able to meet minimum food needs but only by depleting essential livelihood assets or through crisis-coping strategies. In Phase 4, “emergency”, households either have large food consumption gaps resulting in very high acute malnutrition; or are able to mitigate those gaps only by employing emergency livelihood strategies and asset liquidation. Phase 5 of the scale indicates “famine”: an extreme lack of food or other basic needs even though coping strategies are being employed; starvation, death, destitution and levels of extremely critical acute malnutrition are observable. (FEWS NET, no date (b))

February – May 2021

(FEWS NET, December 2020)

The World Food Programme (WFP)vi regularly publishes a data set on food prices in Afghanistan via Humanitarian Responsevii. The data set includes the monthly retail prices of low quality rice, wheat and bread as well as the average daily wage of qualified and non-qualified, non-agricultural labour (WFP, 24 January 2021). The following graphs show the monthly trend of food prices from January 2018 to March 2020 and the ratio between the daily wage of the unqualified labour force and the quantities of basic food products that can be purchased in Herat City and Mazar-e Sharif:

(Based on WFP, 24 January 2021)

(Based on WFP, 24 January 2020)

(Based on WFP, 24 January 2020)

(Based on WFP, 24 January 2020)

“Widespread conflict and severe drought has forced over 150,000 people to flee villages in northwestern Afghanistan and seek shelter in the city of Herat. Their condition remains extremely fragile, as they face shortages of food and limited access to healthcare. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) opened a winter clinic in Herat to provide much-needed assistance to these vulnerable people. […] Living conditions are grossly inadequate and particularly poor when it comes to shelter, water and sanitation. Limited availability of food is another issue, with visible consequences on the health of children and on pregnant or lactating women, who need good quality nutrients to feed their babies.” (MSF, 20 March 2019)viii

“As the summer heat in Afghanistan grows in intensity, conditions are becoming increasingly difficult for some 100,000 displaced people sheltering on the outskirts of the city of Herat. At the same time, humanitarian assistance is being reduced and water supplies are running out. The displaced people fled their villages in northwestern Afghanistan last year during a severe drought and increased fighting between armed opposition groups and Afghan security forces. One year on, the drought is over, but they are unable to return home due to continuing insecurity.” (MSF, 23 July 2019)

“MoPH [ministry of public health] data shows that 8,145 people across all 34 provinces in Afghanistan have tested positive for COVID-19 [Corona Virus Disease 2019]. Some 930 people have recovered, and 187 people have died. 12 healthcare workers are among those who have died from COVID-19. […] Cases are expected to increase rapidly over the weeks ahead as community transmission escalates, creating grave implications for Afghanistan’s economy and people’s wellbeing. Kabul is the most affected part of the country, followed by Hirat, Kandahar and Balkh. […] Humanitarians remain concerned about the impact of extended lockdown measures on the most-vulnerable, particularly families who rely on casual daily labour and lack alternative income sources.” (OCHA, 20 May 2020, p. 1)ix

“The impact of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown had disastrous effects on the livelihoods of Afghan citizens. Due to the lockdown, many people lost jobs and income. Price inflation on basic goods such as oil and potatoes deepened the economic hardship felt by a significant proportion of Afghanistan’s population. According to Biruni Institute data, 6 million people lost their jobs due to the pandemic.” (HelpAge International, September 2020, p. 2)x

“Urban areas in almost 34 provinces of the country have been impacted by reducing access to income and weakening purchasing power due to the COVID-19 lockdown measures. In particular, restrictions on movement have significantly reduced job opportunities in Kabul, Herat, and Nangarhar provinces. […] Reduced access to labor opportunities and significantly increased food prices in urban areas are significantly restricting access to food and income in urban areas of the country. Worst-affected households are those dependent on small business/petty trade, remittances, non-agriculture wage labor, and low salary workers in Kabul, Herat, Jalal Abad, Mazar, Kandahar, and other main cities. Given significantly reduced purchasing power and lack of savings, most of these households are expected to be facing food consumption gaps and Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse outcomes.” (FEWS, April 2020)

For further information on the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic within the cities of Herat and Mazar-e Sharif, see the two ACCORD query responses mentioned above, ACCORD, 23 April; and ACCORD, 20 April.

3.2 Health Care

“In a 2018 report the World Bank concluded that over 2004-2010 health care services showed major improvements in Afghanistan, while in the period of 2011-2016 improvements continued at a slower pace. The report added that the provinces with high performing health facilities in 2003–2010 were Baghlan, Faryab, Herat, Jawzjan, Khost, Kunar, Laghman, Logar, Nuristan and Paktika, whereas in the period of 2011-2016 health facilities were functioning best in Badakhshan, Balkh, Daykundi, Farah, Faryab, Helmand, Nangarhar, Paktiya, Saripul and Zabul with Faryab being the only high-performing province during both periods. […]

According to UNOCHA, medical workers and health facilities are most affected by security incidents and direct violence amongst all aid workers and humanitarian infrastructure in Afghanistan. Health personnel are being harassed, detained, kidnapped and killed. Many people in Afghanistan lack access to health care due to the conflict, and trauma-care is regarded as one of the most critical gaps remaining in Afghanistan’s public health care. Medical facilities are increasingly a target of military attacks” (EASO, April 2019, S. 45-46)xi

“The recent wave of returnees and the large number of internally displaced people (IDPs) is posing a further challenge on already stretched health care facilities and health care professionals in Afghanistan.” (WHO, 20 June 2018)xii

“So far this year [report for the month of August 2019], 319 humanitarian incidents were recorded across the country resulting in 27 aid workers killed, 31 injured and 33 abducted. Nearly half of the recorded incidents were the result of direct and indirect violence against humanitarian personnel, assets or facilities. Additionally, 133 of the 319 incidents affecting aid workers in 2019 consisted of attacks on health facilities and personnel.” In Herat province 22 incidents impacting humanitarian access, health facilities and health workers have occurred, whereas in Balkh there where 24 such incidents. (OCHA, 24. September 2019)

“Around 30 per cent of the population has limited access to basic health services within a two-hour travel radius. The fragile health system is further overburdened by mass casualty incidents and recurrent outbreaks of communicable diseases, as well as a high burden of non-communicable diseases and malnutrition. Community health facilities are overwhelmed due to the spread of COVID-19. Continuation of essential health services is necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality.” (OCHA, 20 May 2020, p. 3)

3.3. Daily-wage labour in Herat

On 3 December 2020 Reza Kazemixiii published an article on daily-wage labour in Herat on the Afghanistan Analysts Networkxiv :

“How many people in Herat – and countrywide – currently work for daily wages is not known. […] The prevalence of daily-wage labour is partially a result of massive population movements – particularly the influx of tens of thousands of people displaced mostly by conflict between 2012 and 2019 […]. These population movements, in particular of internally displaced persons (IDPs), have made Herat province, primarily its capital Herat city, an increasingly difficult space for living and working. Many IDPs and returnees from Iran have resorted to daily-wage labour as their main, if not only, chance to earn money, according to the author’s conversations with labourers, including returnees, long-term residents and an official from Herat’s Labour and Social Affairs Directorate […]. In an interview with AAN, Zubair Rauf, an official at Herat’s Labour and Social Affairs Directorate, listed seven sar-e gozars in and around the city where daily-wage labourers gather, one of which, he said, has become a hotspot for IDPs from Badghis province looking for work. He said the number of labourers gathering fluctuated, depending on the season, with numbers tending to increase towards autumn and winter when agricultural and other work, for example in brick kilns, decreases. However, he said that each sar-e gozar was frequented by an average of 400 to 500 labourers on a daily basis throughout the year. For these parts of the city alone, that adds up to several thousand people trying to get work every day.“ (AAN, 3 December 2020)

4. Sources:

(all links accessed 27 January 2021, except if otherwise noted)

• AAN – Afghanistan Analysts Networt: “Eat and Don’t Die”: Daily-wage labour as a window into Afghan society (author: Kazemi, Reza), 3 December 2020 (available at ecoi.net)
  https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/economy-development-environment/eat-and-dont-die-daily-wage-labour-as-a-window-into-afghan-society/
• ACCORD – Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation: Anfragebeantwortung zu Afghanistan: Lokale Sicherheits- und Versorgungslage der Stadt Herat: Sicherheitslage in den einzelnen Vierteln bzw. der Peripherie; Wohnregionen mit den meisten IDPs, RückkehrerInnen; Unterscheidungen hinsichtlich der Volksgruppenzugehörigkeit; sichere Erreichbarkeit der Innenstadt auf dem Landweg (insbesondere vom Flughafen bzw. den informellen Siedlungen außerhalb der Stadt aus); Besonderheiten aufgrund der Corona-Pandemie [a-11210-1], 23 April 2020
  https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2030080.html
• ACCORD – Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation: Anfragebeantwortung zu Afghanistan: Lokale Sicherheits- und Versorgungslage der Stadt Masar-e Scharif und Umgebung: Sicherheitslage in den einzelnen Vierteln bzw. der Peripherie; Wohnregionen mit den meisten Binnenvertriebenen, RückkehrerInnen; Unterscheidungen hinsichtlich der Volksgruppenzugehörigkeit; sichere Erreichbarkeit der Innenstadt auf dem Landweg (insbesondere vom Flughafen bzw. den informellen Siedlungen außerhalb der Stadt aus); Besonderheiten aufgrund der Corona-Pandemie [a-11210-2 (11211)], 30 April 2020
  https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2030099.html
• ACLED - Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project: Data as of 26 September 2019
  https://www.acleddata.com/data/
• ACLED - Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project: Data as of 26 April 2019
  https://www.acleddata.com/data/ (accessed 26 April 2019)
• ACLED - Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project: Data as of 28 May 2019
  https://www.acleddata.com/data/
• ACLED - Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project: Data as of 22 June 2019
  https://www.acleddata.com/data/
• ACLED - Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project: Information via email, 28 June 2019
• ACLED - Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project: Data as of 25 July 2019
  https://www.acleddata.com/data/
• ACLED - Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project: Data as of 26 November 2019
  https://www.acleddata.com/data
• ACLED - Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project: Data as of 14 January 2020
  https://www.acleddata.com/data
• ACLED - Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project: Data as of 26 May 2020
  https://www.acleddata.com/data/
• ACLED – Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project: Data as of 14 October 2020
  https://www.acleddata.com/data/
• ACLED – Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project: Data as of 26 January 2021
  https://www.acleddata.com/data/
• EASO – European Asylum Support Office: Afghanistan; Key socio-economic indicators; Focus on Kabul City, Mazar-e Sharif and Herat City, April 2019
  https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2005343/EASO_COI_Afghanistan_KSEI_April_2019.pdf
• FEWS NET - Famine Early Warning System Network: FEWS NET Data Center, no date (a)
  http://fews.net/fews-data/333
• FEWS NET - Famine Early Warning System Network: Integrated Phase Classification, no date (b)
  http://fews.net/IPC
• FEWS NET – Famine Early Warning System Network: Afghanistan – Key Message Update: Data as of December 2020
  https://fews.net/central-asia/afghanistan
• HelpAge International; Samuel Hall (Author), published by ReliefWeb: The impact of COVID-19 on older persons: Afghanistan analytical brief, September 2020
  https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Afghanistan-Analytical-Brief-September-2020.pdf
• MSF – Médecins Sans Frontières: The long struggle of displaced families to survive winter in Herat, 20 March 2019
  https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/2005678.html
• MSF – Médecins Sans Frontières: Living conditions deteriorate for displaced people in Herat, 23. Juli 2019 (available at ecoi.net)
  https://www.ecoi.net/en/dokument/2013212.html
• NYT – New York Times: Afghan War Casualty Report: January 2021, 21 January 2021
  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/world/asia/afghan-war-casualties-january-2021.html
• RFE/RL – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Rival Police Clash In North Afghan City In Spat Between President, Ex-Governor, 14 March 2019
  https://www.ecoi.net/en/dokument/2004345.html
• UN OCHA – UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: Afghanistan: Monthly Humanitarian Update (August 2019), 24 September 2019
  https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2017073/afg-monthly-humanitarian-update-aug-2019.pdf
• UN OCHA – UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: Afghanistan: COVID-19 Multi-Sectoral Response Operational Situation Report, 20 May 2020 (available at ecoi.net)
  https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2030258/operational_sitrep_covid-19_20_may_2020.pdf
• WFP – World Food Programme: Afghanistan – Food Prices. Jan 15, 2000 – Dec 15, 2020: Data as of WFP, 24 January 2021
  https://data.humdata.org/dataset/a246cbac-42d5-47b2-ba75-ac66f69e83de
• WHO – World Health Organization: Afghanistan - Increased numbers of returnees and refugees stretch health service provision in Afghanistan, 20 June 2018
  http://www.emro.who.int/afg/afghanistan-news/increased-numbers-of-returnees-and-refugees-stretch-health-service-provision-in-afghanistan.html

  ---

  i Voice of Jihad is the Website of the Taliban.

  ii The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) of the University of Sussex collects data on reported conflict events in selected African and Asian countries. The Information on reported events is based on various sources like international and Afghan media, including media affiliated with the Afghan government or the Taliban.

  iii The New York Times (NYT) is a US Daily Newspaper based in New York City. The NYT publishes the Afghan War Casualty Report, which includes confirmed casualty figures of pro-government forces and civilians throughout Afghanistan on a weekly basis. The Afghan War Casualty Report only includes security incidents confirmed by New York Times reporters across Afghanistan. It is therefore necessarily incomplete, the NYT notes, as many local officials refuse to confirm casualty figures. (NYT, 21 January 2021)

  iv Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is a US government-funded broadcasting organisation that provides news, information, and analysis to countries in Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.

  v FEWS NET - Famine Early Warning System Network is a network of analysts operating in more than 35 countries and continuously publishing data and maps on current food security in Afghanistan. Since March 2011 it has been working with the updated version of an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Version 2.0.

  vi The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organisation in the fight against hunger worldwide.

  vii Humanitarian Response is a specialized service platform of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).

  viii Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international humanitarian organisation working to deliver medical aid and offer assistance to people in need worldwide.

  ix The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is responsible for mobilizing and coordinating humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies, advocating the rights of people in need, promoting preparedness and prevention as well as facilitating sustainable solutions.

  x HelpAge International is a global network of 154 organisations in 85 countries, which supports millions of older people to live safe, dignified and healthy lives.

  xi The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) is an agency of the European Union providing support to EU member states in asylum issues.

  xii The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations coordinating body for international public health.

  xiii S. Reza Kazemi is a researcher for the Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN).

  xiv The Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN) is an independent non-profit policy research organisation with its main office in Kabul.

This featured topic was prepared after researching within time constraints. It is meant to offer an overview on an issue and is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status, asylum or other form of international protection. Chronologies are not intended to be exhaustive. Every quotation is referred to with a hyperlink to the respective document.

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