New Delhi, April 5: Many countries around the world are ensnared in conflicts. Human rights are being overlooked in the struggle for power. Innocent lives are being lost, and the increasing statistics are a growing concern.
Between 2022 and 2026, multiple nations were embroiled in turmoil, with some statistics being truly alarming. According to the United Nations and its agencies, millions have died and millions more are facing displacement across Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and the broader West Asia region.
Recently, a WHO official presented figures regarding the Iran conflict. In the early weeks of the conflict, approximately 3,300 individuals fell victim to aerial bombardments, while over 4.3 million were displaced. This harrowing reality was shared by Hanan Balkhy, the WHO’s regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, as she observed the early impacts of the Iran conflict.
Balkhy stated in a media briefing that the fighting has led to one of the “largest crises” in recent decades, with devastating consequences. More than 3,300 lives have been lost, over 30,000 injured, and more than 4.3 million displaced. Additionally, there have been 116 attacks on health facilities, along with numerous assaults on industrial units, emergency services, and critical infrastructure.
This is just a recent development. According to a WHO agency, the most widespread impact on humanity has been observed from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began in February 2022. The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) reported that between 2022 and 2024, over 11,000 people lost their lives, with more than 20,000 injured.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission (HRMMU) reported that 2025 was the most dangerous year for civilians in Ukraine since 2022. In 2025 alone, 2,514 civilians were killed, and 12,142 were injured. This represents a 31% increase in civilian casualties compared to 2024 and a staggering 70% increase compared to 2023.
The trend of rising casualties continued. By 2025, the UNHCR noted that over 6 million people had fled the country, while nearly 5 million were internally displaced. Thus, this conflict has caused the displacement of over 10 million individuals.
The situation in Gaza is equally dire. Since the onset of the conflict in October 2023, over 75,000 people have died by 2026, with many more injured. According to the UN, by 2024, around 85 to 90 percent of Gaza’s population, approximately 1.8 to 1.9 million people, had been displaced, marking it as one of the largest humanitarian crises of modern times.
The UN published a report based on monitoring by OHCHR and information from governmental sources, other UN agencies, and NGOs covering the period from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025. The Gaza Health Department reported that during this period, 25,594 Palestinians were killed and 68,837 were injured. The UN confirmed these figures, stating that since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, 68,800 Palestinians have died and 170,664 have been injured between November 2024 and October 2025.
Lebanon is also facing a severe crisis due to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Between 2023 and 2026, over 2,000 people have died, and between 1 to 1.2 million people have been displaced. UNICEF has warned that children are bearing the brunt of this conflict.
In South Asia, the Pakistan-Afghanistan border dispute remains a focal point of tension. Between 2023 and 2026, clashes along the border resulted in the deaths of 200 to 300 individuals. The UN reported that in 2026 alone, nearly 100 people were displaced. From late February to early March 2026, UNAMA confirmed the deaths of 185 civilians due to indirect fire and airstrikes in Afghanistan.
Among the deceased, a majority (55 percent) were women and children. On February 27, airstrikes in the Barmal district of Paktika province killed 14 civilians (four women, two girls, five boys, and three men) and injured six others (two women, one girl, two boys, and one man).
According to the UN report, the number of civilian casualties from recent cross-border clashes is significantly higher than those reported between October 10-17, 2025, when 47 civilians were killed and 456 injured.
In the last three months of 2025, UNAMA recorded the deaths of 70 civilians and injuries to 478 in Afghanistan. Additionally, from January 1 to February 22, 2026, airstrikes and cross-border shelling in Nangarhar province resulted in the deaths of 13 civilians and injuries to 12.
Globally, the situation is even more alarming. According to UNHCR data for 2024-2025, over 117 million people worldwide are forcibly displaced. This figure underscores that ordinary people are paying the highest price in modern conflicts.
Experts believe that a clear shift has been observed in conflicts post-2022—urban warfare and the expansion of regional wars have complicated humanitarian crises. The UN continues to emphasize the urgent need for ceasefires, humanitarian assistance, and diplomatic solutions, yet attention from leaders remains limited.
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Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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