Afghanistan: Sorrow, Hope, and Children

Afghanistan… a land where pain and hope have solidified into the stones of its soil. Itsmountains rise like rugged poems reaching for the sky, each peak a verse filled with stories, each valley a mournful melody. As the sun sets over Kandahar, the horizon is painted in crimson hues, like the palette of a painter who witnessed war.

Every city is filled with echoes of the past. Every stone, whether in the column of a mine, a market corner, or the courtyard of a ruined palace, whispers tales from history. Rivers, as theyflow through Kabul, carry the lost loves, friendships, and unending struggles of its people. The eyes of children reflect both hope and sorrow, as they gaze toward the horizon, searchingfor the dream of peace.

Afghanistan… a land marked by cycles of destruction and rebirth. A place where every inch of soil carries an elegy, yet every morning rises with a hopeful song. Once vibrant courtyardsnow stand silent under the shadow of war. Tears fall to the ground faster than bombs, and thefootprints of half-finished dreams linger on dusty paths.

Despite being home to some of the world’s oldest civilizations, Afghanistan is today one of the poorest countries on Earth. Both politically and culturally diverse, Afghanistan has longbeen defined by war, occupation, and internal conflicts.

The history of Afghanistan is a complex narrative shaped by invasions, resistance, and theconvergence of diverse cultures. Due to its geopolitical significance, Afghanistan has oftenbeen a battleground for global powers, a land marked by cultural richness and the immensehardships of its people. Countless villages and towns suffered severe bombings during U.S. and allied operations. In these bombings and raids, civilians faced torture, detention, andmistreatment. Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and electricitynetworks suffered immense damage during the conflicts. Particularly in rural areas, access tohealth and education services became nearly impossible. The agricultural economy wasseverely impacted by the war, leaving farmers unable to tend to their fields, while U.S. operations destroyed their livelihoods and deepened economic instability. Approximately 2.5 million Afghans fled to safer regions or sought refuge in neighboring countries like Pakistan and Iran. Due to constant waves of migration, cities expanded without planning. In majorcities like Kabul, inadequate infrastructure and public services exacerbated poverty andunemployment. Years of conflict, violence against civilians, and mass displacement have leftAfghan society in a state of widespread trauma. Children and young people grew up with waras an integral part of their lives.

Poppy cultivation and drug production saw a significant rise due to the poverty caused bywar, turning Afghanistan into a global hub for heroin production.

The United States has conducted both direct and indirect military operations in Afghanistanfor years. Although it withdrew from the region in 2021, its policies in the area continueindirectly. The U.S. still exerts diplomatic pressure on the Taliban and works to prevent itsinternational recognition.

The situation of children in Afghanistan has worsened drastically in recent years due to war, political instability, economic crises, and natural disasters. Children face significantchallenges in accessing basic rights such as education, healthcare, nutrition, and safety. During the 20 years of U.S. occupation, little to no meaningful action was taken to benefitwomen or children. Many children died from malnutrition or were deprived of education.

Children have been one of the most affected groups in Afghanistan’s long-standing conflictsand political instability, even when not directly targeted. Attacks on schools are among themost evident forms of violence directly targeting children. Landmines and unexplodedbombs, remnants of past conflicts, pose a significant threat to them. During airstrikes andbombings on residential areas, approximately 30,000 children lost their lives. In 2021, a U.S. airstrike in Kabul wiped out entire families. As a result of the occupation, millions of Afghanchildren were forced to migrate with their families to neighboring countries or differentregions within Afghanistan.

Children live under the psychological weight of constant violence and conflict. Losing theirfamilies, being displaced from their homes, and growing up in an environment filled withviolence leave deep psychological scars. Many children suffer from post-traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Efforts to provide children with access toeducation, healthcare, and safety remain insufficient. The region also faces significant issuesin providing nutrition and healthcare services for children. Although various organizationsand NGOs have developed projects to support Afghan children after the occupation, theseefforts have been hindered by ongoing conflicts.

During the Syrian Civil War, approximately 150,000 children went missing in Europe. Today, Afghan children face the same danger. It is estimated that 243,000 people were killed in attacks during the occupation. More than 71,000 of these were civilians, and 66,000 weremembers of Afghan security forces. These numbers have risen further due to the indirecteffects of the war.

Esmat and Afifa. Two Afghan siblings who lost their family. One day, while playing at a relative’s home, their parents were killed when a rocket struck. Esmat and Afifa, noworphaned, were placed in the state-run Alaaddin orphanage in Kabul, where TİKA has provided significant support. Four-year-old Ayşe is another child living there. The olderchildren at the orphanage take care of the younger ones. According to the orphanage staff, there are even children as young as one or two years old here. Most of the children have losttheir entire families. Esmat and Afifa will learn the fate of their parents when they grow older. For now, they believe their parents are somewhere far away. They do not yet know aboutdeath… Yet their eyes are filled with sorrow. Even when they laugh and play, a shadow of sadness lingers in their gaze.

Is all of this the inescapable destiny of Esmat, Afifa, Ayşe, and all the children who bearwitness to such profound injustice? The world remains silent.

“In Afghanistan, there are many children, but no childhood. Isn’t it the same with the world? There are many humans, but no humanity.” (Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner)