8am: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s cabinet meeting has appointed Mullah Baradar Akhund as head of the High Commission for Disasters Management. The cabinet meeting of the (IEA) ordered the establishment of a High Commission for Natural Disasters, headed by Mullah Baradar, the Taliban’s first deputy prime minister on (Monday, December 27th). The High Commission
AP: The severe drought, now in its second year, has dramatically worsened the already desperate situation in the country. Click here to read more (external link).
AP: Afghanistan’s drought, its worst in decades, is now entering its second year, exacerbated by climate change. The dry spell has hit 25 of the country’s 34 provinces, and this year’s wheat harvest is estimated to be down 20% from the year before. Click here to read more (external link).
Ariana: Doctors warned Sunday that the air pollution level in Kabul is dangerously high and that it was threatening the lives of many people. Doctors and resident’s called on government to take measures to stop people from burning fuels such as plastic and rubber and get them to rather use gas or electricity. Click here
Tolo News: The harmful effects of air pollution are threatening the lives of Kabul residents as winter approaches, Afghan health officials said. “26 percent of the deaths in the country originated from air pollution,” said Ghulam Hassan Ghulami, head of the Kabul environment protection department. Click here to read more (external link).
By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi Ron Synovitz November 16, 2021 When Qudratullah lost his family’s farm in northern Afghanistan earlier this year, it was not because of war. It was due to a severe drought — one of the extreme weather conditions in Afghanistan that is blamed on global climate change. The displaced 58-year-old once supported an
8am: More than a year and three months after the floods hit the city of Charikar in Parwan province, no shelter has been provided for the flood victims. Some of Charikar flood victims now live in door-less, wall-less ruins. They have disturbing accounts of their lives. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News: The Taliban in unofficial meetings with Iranian officials said they recognize the Helmand River Treaty signed between Afghanistan and Iran in 1973, an official from Iran’s foreign ministry has said. According to the treaty, Afghanistan is committed to sharing the water from the Helmand River with Iran and will supply 26 cubic meters
Al Jazeera: As the world watched the Taliban wage a stunning offensive that ended in the rapid collapse of the country’s western-backed government, a longer-term crisis was building. In desperate attempts to feed their families, herders have been forced to sell their livestock, farmers to flee their villages, and parents marrying their daughters at ever
8am: According to reports, the first snowfall this year in the Salang Pass, through which the Kabul-North highway passes, started at 10:00 pm on Thursday night and continues to this day. The Salang Pass is closed to trucks for this reason. Click here to read more (external link).