The World Food Programme (WFP) says it has launched a large-scale emergency response to assist communities in Afghanistan affected by the recent conflict along the disputed Durand Line with Pakistan, delivering life-saving food aid to thousands of displaced families.

According to the UN agency, more than 20,000 families forced from their homes by the fighting are receiving immediate food assistance. The initial response includes fortified biscuits to meet urgent nutritional needs, followed by two months of food or cash assistance for the most vulnerable households.

WFP said it will also distribute specialized nutrition products for children as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women to help address rising malnutrition.

Despite ongoing security risks, WFP has resumed operations in most border areas and is expanding assistance across eight provinces. The response begins in eastern Afghanistan in Nuristan, Kunar, and Nangarhar, before extending south to Paktia, Khost, and Paktika, and continuing to Zabul and Kandahar along the country’s southern border, WFP noted in a statement.

“This is crisis upon crisis: after enduring shocks like job losses and earthquakes, families already struggling with hunger—many with malnourished mothers and children—now find themselves on the frontlines of conflict,” said John Aylieff, WFP country director in Afghanistan. He warned that further instability could push millions deeper into hunger while increasing pressure across the region.

The humanitarian response is also facing major logistical challenges. WFP says the closure of the Afghanistan–Pakistan crossing since October and the wider conflict in the Middle East have disrupted supply routes and complicated aid delivery.

To keep food assistance moving, the agency is working to activate the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, a trade route linking Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea, and Turkmenistan to Afghanistan. While the corridor provides an alternative supply line, WFP said it involves longer delivery times and significantly higher costs.

Additional pressure on Afghanistan’s markets is coming from a recent ban on food and agricultural exports from Iran, which WFP says is already driving up prices.

If the restrictions continue, shortages of essential goods could emerge first in border regions before spreading nationwide as supplies decline.

Humanitarian officials warn that Afghanistan is now facing three overlapping crises: escalating tensions along the Durand Line, the regional impact of the conflict involving Iran, and a worsening hunger emergency.

WFP estimates that one in three Afghans—around 17.4 million people—currently require urgent food assistance, while 3.7 million children are expected to need treatment for malnutrition in 2026.

The agency says Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most severe hunger hotspots and is appealing for urgent international support to sustain life-saving operations.

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, providing emergency food assistance and supporting communities recovering from conflict, disasters, and climate-related shocks.

Pakistan’s National Democratic Movement (NDM) has issued a statement expressing deep concern over the rising number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan  , including women and children, in recent aerial bombardments.

In a joint statement shared on social media, the party and its supporters warned that the continued loss of civilian lives is worsening instability and undermining prospects for peace. The group called on all parties involved in the conflict to prioritize the protection of civilians and avoid actions that could escalate violence further.

According to the statement, the increasing attacks on populated areas are causing widespread fear among communities and raising humanitarian concerns. The movement stressed that civilians must not become victims of political or military confrontations.

NDM urged authorities and all stakeholders to exercise restraint and seek peaceful solutions to ongoing disputes. The party emphasized that stability and security can only be achieved through dialogue and respect for human life.

The statement also called on the international community and relevant organizations to closely monitor the situation and support efforts aimed at preventing further civilian suffering.

The National Democratic Movement, founded by former parliamentarian Mohsin Dawar, has frequently spoken out on security and humanitarian issues affecting communities in Pakistan’s tribal regions.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations – Texas (CAIR-Texas) has called for a full and transparent investigation following the death of Afghan refugee Nazeer Paktiawal, who died on March 14 after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to information shared with family members and community representatives, Paktiawal was detained by ICE officers on March 13 outside his home after dropping his children off at school. Later that evening, he reportedly developed serious health complications while in custody. Authorities informed his family the following day that he had died.

Paktiawal had previously worked alongside U.S. special forces in Afghanistan and later resettled in the United States as a refugee following the US troop withdrawal in 2021. He was living in the Dallas area and is remembered by relatives and community members as a father and active member of the local Afghan community.

CAIR-Texas expressed condolences to Paktiawal’s family and urged authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding his detention and death.

“This tragedy comes during the final days of Ramadan, a time when Muslims reflect on mercy and justice,” said Mustafaa Carroll, executive director of CAIR-Texas’ Dallas-Fort Worth office.

“Detention does not erase a person’s humanity. Every individual in custody must be treated with dignity, safety and respect. We call for a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Paktiawal’s detention and death.”

ICE has issued a statement about the case referencing past allegations and Paktiawal’s immigration status, but CAIR-Texas said the focus should remain on ensuring accountability and understanding how the death occurred while he was in government custody.

“Regardless of immigration status or past allegations, every person in government custody deserves humane treatment and due process,” the organization said in a statement, adding that the family and the public deserve clear answers.

Deaths in detention require independent oversight to ensure accountability and help prevent similar incidents, CAIR-Texas said.

Imran Ghani, CAIR-Texas Houston operations manager, criticized ICE’s response and called for stronger oversight of immigration enforcement agencies.

The organization urged lawmakers to hold ICE accountable and establish independent monitoring of immigration detention facilities. It also called for support of legislation such as the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, which aims to increase transparency, strengthen due process protections and ensure humane standards for detainees.

CAIR-Texas said its mission is to protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.