UN Report: Spike In Afghans Civilian Casualties

Today, the UN mission in Afghanistan released its mid-year report on civilian casualties.

In the first 6 months of 2009, the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan ( UNAMA) recorded 1,013 civilian deaths compared with 818 for the same period (1St of January to 30TH of June) in 2008. This represent a 24 percent increase of civilian casualties from the same period last year.

Both anti-government elements (AGE) and pro-government forces ( PGF) are responsible for the increase in civilian casualties. UNAMA Human Right figures indicate that more civilians are being killed by AGEs then by PGF. In the first 6 months of 2009, 59 percent of civilians were killed by AGEs as opposed to 30.5 percent by PGF.

The government of Afghanistan and its allies, in attempting to quell the insurgency and responding to insurgent activity within civilian areas, are also conducting more operations in areas where civilians reside. These factors have resulted in a rising toll in terms of civilian death, injuries and destruction of infrastructure including homes and assets, which are essential for survival and the maintenance of livelihoods.

The report finds that notwithstanding new efforts by international military forces to implement policies and procedures to minimize the impact of their operations on civilians, air strikes remain responsible for the largest percentage of civilian deaths attributed to PGF during the first 6 months of 2009.

Insurgents attacks on humanitarian workers, including medical & educational staff, have increasingly impaired access by Afghans to humanitarian assistance. This is especially the case for life saving health care, food, shelters and other services essential for survival. This has a particularly detrimental impact on women and children in conflict affected areas.

To read the full report click here.