A Heartbreaking Toll: Child Casualties In The Afghanistan War

The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on children, with an estimated 32,945 children killed or maimed between 2005 and mid-2021. This averages out to around one child casualty every five hours over the course of the 20-year conflict. The actual number of child casualties is likely much higher, as these figures do not include children who have died due to indirect causes such as hunger, poverty, and disease. The war has exacerbated these issues, with 92% of the population facing food insecurity and 3 million children at risk of acute malnutrition. The conflict has also taken a toll on children's education, with 3.7 million primary school-aged children out of school and 60% of those missing out being girls.

Nearly 33,000 children killed or maimed in 20 years

The 20-year war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the country's children, with nearly 33,000 killed or maimed, according to an aid organisation. This averages out to one child casualty every five hours over two decades. The war has left an entire generation of Afghan children traumatised and facing an uncertain future.

Save the Children, the London-headquartered humanitarian organisation that released the data, said the true number of child casualties was likely much higher than the estimated 32,945. Moreover, this figure does not include children who have died due to war-induced hunger, poverty, and disease. The organisation's Asia Regional Director, Hassan Noor, stated that "a generation of children" had their lives "blighted by the misery and impact of war".

The war in Afghanistan has exacerbated the issues of poverty, malnutrition, and lack of access to healthcare and education. According to reports, nearly half of Afghanistan's population, including almost 10 million children, were in need of humanitarian assistance even before the recent surge in violence. The conflict has also taken a toll on children's mental health, with the constant threat of violence and explosives causing trauma and fear.

The United States' longest war ended in August 2021, with the departure of the last US planes from Kabul. However, the aftermath of the war continues to endanger the lives of Afghan children. Unexploded ordnance and landmines left behind continue to kill and injure civilians, with children being particularly vulnerable as they go about their daily activities.

The war has also disrupted children's access to education, with reports of over 300 attacks on schools between 2017 and 2019, and almost half of all primary school-aged children being out of school. The conflict has further led to increased food insecurity, with millions of children at risk of hunger and malnutrition. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these issues, with humanitarian needs rising.

40% of air strike victims from 2016-2020 were children

The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on children, with nearly 33,000 killed or maimed over 20 years of conflict. This averages out to one child casualty every five hours. The true number of child casualties is likely much higher, as these figures do not include children who have died due to war-induced hunger, poverty, and disease.

From 2016 to 2020, 40% of all civilian airstrike casualties in Afghanistan were children, according to data from Action on Armed Violence (AOAV). Of the 3,977 total civilian casualties during this period, 1,598 were children. This means that 785 children were killed and 813 were injured by airstrikes. The majority of child casualties, 57%, were caused by US-led international forces.

The high number of child casualties is due in part to the increased reliance on US aerial operations as foreign ground troop numbers dwindled. In 2017, the US loosened its Rules of Engagement for airstrikes against the Taliban, allowing them to conduct more airstrikes and target Taliban posts even if no NATO or Afghan forces were nearby. This relaxation of rules led to an 85% increase in child casualties from 2017 to 2018, resulting in a rate of four child casualties every three days.

The US military's increased aerial operations had a devastating impact on Afghan civilians. Overall casualties from international airstrikes more than tripled between 2017 and 2019, from 247 to 757. The US Air Force conducted more airstrikes per day than at the height of their presence in 2011, dropping more than 20 munitions per day.

The Afghan Air Force has also contributed to child casualties. In the first six months of 2020, civilian casualties resulting from their airstrikes tripled compared to the same period in 2019. With the US-trained Afghan Air Force now taking the lead in airstrikes, there are fears that the risk to civilians from aerial weapons will worsen.

1 child killed or maimed every 5 hours

Afghanistan has been described as one of the most dangerous countries for children. The 20-year war in Afghanistan has resulted in the killing and maiming of nearly 33,000 children, averaging one child casualty every five hours. This figure is based on data from the UN and Save the Children, a humanitarian organisation that has worked in Afghanistan since 1976.

The real number of child casualties is likely much higher, and this estimate does not include children who have died from hunger, poverty, and disease. The war has left a devastating impact on children, with an entire generation knowing nothing but conflict and the constant threat of explosives and bombs. The conflict has also exacerbated issues such as hunger, poverty, and disease, with nearly half of Afghanistan's population, including almost 10 million children, in need of humanitarian assistance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened the situation, with 7 million children requiring urgent aid. The lack of funding for the UN's humanitarian appeal has made it challenging to secure the necessary funds to help those in need. The conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions of children facing hunger and requiring immediate support.

The use of explosive weapons in populated areas has had a detrimental impact on children, with Save the Children urging governments to avoid their use and protect children from the deadly consequences of war. The organisation emphasises the need for increased humanitarian funding and a commitment to supporting children affected by the conflict, ensuring their access to vital services and education.

5 children killed or maimed every day for 14 years

The Afghanistan war has been devastating for the country's children. Between 2005 and 2019, at least 26,025 children were killed or maimed—an average of five children every day for 14 years. The real number of child casualties is likely much higher and does not include children who have died due to hunger, poverty, and disease.

The conflict has inflicted a heavy toll on Afghanistan's children, with thousands of families forced to flee their homes and live in dire conditions. The war has also disrupted access to education, with almost half of all primary school-aged children out of school and a lack of proficiency in reading among those who are in school. The humanitarian crisis has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, drought, and conflict, driving the country deeper into crisis.

The use of explosive weapons in populated areas has had a devastating impact on children, leaving many dead or scarred for life. In addition, the presence of unexploded ordnance and landmines from previous wars continues to pose a significant risk to children's lives and safety. The mental health and well-being of children have also been affected, with many experiencing constant fear and trauma.

The Afghanistan war has had a profound and lasting impact on the country's children, disrupting their lives, education, and well-being. The conflict has left a generation of children traumatized and in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. The international community must come together to address the crisis and provide much-needed support to protect and safeguard the future of Afghanistan's children.

The situation in Afghanistan underscores the urgent need to end the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and to prioritize the protection of children in conflict zones. The world must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of Afghanistan's children and must take decisive action to bring an end to the conflict and ensure their safety, education, and well-being.

26,025 children killed or maimed between 2005 and 2019

The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the country's children, with an estimated 26,025 children killed or maimed between 2005 and 2019. This averages out to a tragic five children every single day for those 14 years. The true number of child casualties is likely much higher, as the estimate does not include children who have died due to indirect causes such as hunger, poverty, and disease.

The war has left children in Afghanistan vulnerable to a range of dangers. Unexploded ordnance and landmines contaminate fields, roads, and even school buildings, putting children at risk as they go about their daily activities and chores. The breakdown of the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure due to the war has also had severe consequences for children's well-being.

Afghanistan has been described as one of the most dangerous countries for children, with the conflict causing lasting trauma and suffering. The constant fear of violence and death has affected their mental health and education. The war has disrupted their access to education, with over 3.7 million primary school-aged children out of school. Additionally, 93% of late primary school-aged children are not proficient in reading, and girls are disproportionately affected, with 60% of school-aged girls missing out on their education.

The impact of the war extends beyond direct casualties, as children also face malnutrition, inadequate access to healthcare, and environmental degradation. The war has exacerbated pre-existing issues, such as poverty and lack of access to clean drinking water, further endangering children's lives and well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with 7 million children in need of urgent assistance.

The international community has been urged to increase humanitarian funding and support for Afghanistan, especially in providing vital services to help children recover from injuries and trauma. There are calls for a commitment to avoiding the use of explosive weapons in populated areas to protect children from the deadly consequences of the conflict.

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