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UN Warns Funding Shortfall Threatens Nutrition Support for 5.7 Million in Afghanistan

July 27, 2026 Current News Articles

Khaama Press

July 26, 2026

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that a funding shortfall in 2026 is threatening nutrition programmes that support 5.7 million children and mothers across Afghanistan.

OCHA said on Sunday that millions of vulnerable Afghans could lose access to essential health and nutrition services unless humanitarian organisations receive urgent funding. The agency warned that financial constraints are already reducing the capacity of humanitarian partners to respond to growing needs, particularly among children and mothers at risk of malnutrition.

The warning comes as Afghanistan continues to face one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, driven by widespread poverty, food insecurity, weak public services and limited access to healthcare. Years of conflict, economic disruption and restrictions on humanitarian and development activities have left millions of Afghans dependent on international assistance.

Children remain particularly vulnerable. Poor access to nutritious food, clean water, healthcare and sanitation has increased the risk of acute malnutrition, while families struggling with poverty often face difficult choices between buying food and meeting other essential needs.

Women and children are also among the groups most affected by Afghanistan’s broader humanitarian challenges. Restrictions on women’s participation in public life and employment have limited household incomes and complicated the delivery of some humanitarian and health services.

OCHA has previously warned that Afghanistan’s nutrition situation remains concerning, with malnutrition increasing in several parts of the country. Humanitarian organisations have repeatedly called for sustained funding to maintain programmes that provide treatment for malnourished children, maternal nutrition support and essential health services.

The UN agency’s latest warning highlights the potential consequences of declining international humanitarian funding at a time when needs remain extremely high. Funding shortages could force aid agencies to reduce the scale or coverage of nutrition programmes, potentially leaving vulnerable communities without timely assistance.

The situation is particularly concerning in remote and underserved areas, where access to healthcare and humanitarian services is already limited. For families living in poverty, the loss of nutrition programmes could increase the risk of preventable illness and death among children and mothers.

Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis has persisted despite a reduction in large-scale armed conflict since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The country’s economy remains fragile, unemployment and poverty are widespread, and millions continue to struggle to meet basic needs.

International humanitarian agencies have warned that humanitarian assistance remains critical to preventing further deterioration, while stressing that long-term improvements will also require stronger public services, economic opportunities and sustainable development.

Afghans in Mazar-i-Sharif report Iranian visa black market charging up to $1,700

July 27, 2026 Current News Articles

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

July 27, 2026

Afghan residents in Mazar-i-Sharif say intermediaries are demanding hundreds or thousands of dollars to arrange Iranian visas despite an announcement that visas for Afghan pilgrims travelling for Arbaeen would be issued free of charge under specified conditions, according to reports.

Residents in Mazar-i-Sharif reported that some intermediaries were offering to arrange Iranian Arbaeen visas for between $1,000 and $1,700. Some residents said they had been approached by intermediaries demanding large sums to secure visas, while an investigation found indications of an informal market for Iranian visas.

According to the report, some companies said intermediaries charged at least $500 per applicant to arrange an Iranian visa. The amount could rise depending on the applicant’s circumstances, the number of family members and the type of application, with some applicants allegedly asked to pay significantly higher amounts.

Several residents claimed that obtaining Iranian visas remained difficult despite the official policy. They said the gap between the announced free visa arrangements and their experience had created opportunities for intermediaries to exploit applicants.

Some residents also cited economic hardship, unemployment and limited job opportunities as reasons for seeking to travel to Iran, particularly to find work and support their families.

Iran’s Embassy in Kabul has previously announced that Arbaeen pilgrimage visas for Afghan nationals would be issued free of charge under specified conditions. Some residents, however, stated to the media that the announced policy did not always match their experience when they sought to obtain visas.

Relevant officials in Mazar-i-Sharif have not yet commented on the allegations.

Khaama Press could not independently verify the allegations, including the reported payments, the identities of the intermediaries or the claims made by others. The available information also does not establish any involvement by Iranian diplomatic or consular authorities in the alleged payments.

The reported allegations highlight concerns over the transparency and accessibility of the visa process for Afghan applicants. They also show how difficulties in obtaining travel documents can leave applicants vulnerable to intermediaries who promise to secure visas in exchange for large sums of money.

Kabul Water Crisis Deepens, Raising Health, Livelihood Concerns

July 27, 2026 Current News Articles

Bibi Amina Hakimi

TOLOnews’ Reporter

27 July 2026

In many neighborhoods across Kabul, families wait for hours for water tankers to arrive, while others are forced to buy water at high prices.

Kabul’s water shortage is worsening, leaving millions of residents struggling with limited access to drinking water, rising water costs, and growing concerns over the future of the city’s water resources.

The capital, which relies largely on groundwater for its drinking water supply, has in recent years experienced a sharp decline in groundwater levels, the drying up of hundreds of wells, and contamination of a significant portion of its water sources.

Abdul Hamid, a Kabul resident, said: “Water used to be found at depths of 10 to 20 meters. Now it has dropped to around 80, 100, and even 120 meters. People are facing serious difficulties, and the water is also polluted.”

Shah Zaman Farooqi, another Kabul resident, said: “We ask people to be mindful of their water consumption and avoid wasting water.”

In many neighborhoods across Kabul, families wait for hours for water tankers to arrive, while others are forced to buy water at high prices.

The rising cost of water has turned the shortage from an environmental challenge into a livelihood crisis, particularly for low-income families.

Ramesh, a Kabul resident, said: “People are facing water shortages and cannot afford to buy water. Someone who earns 100 afghanis a day cannot afford to purchase it.”

Naser Ahmad, another resident, said: “As the water shortage worsens, people are increasingly forced to buy water. The difficulties people face are growing.”

Experts attribute the crisis to rapid population growth, climate change, prolonged drought, excessive groundwater extraction, and weak water resource management.

Sayed Mohammad Sulaimankhail, an environmental expert, said: “In the short term, water needs to be transferred from other provinces to areas facing severe shortages.”

Meanwhile, projects aimed at improving water resource management and strengthening resilience to climate change are underway. The Kabul Water Supply Company says it has short-, medium-, and long-term plans to address the crisis.

Shafiullah Zahedi, head of the Kabul Water Supply and Sewerage Zone, said: “Our long-term projects include the Panjshir water project, the Shah wa Aroos Dam, and the Shah Toot Dam. Survey and design work for the Panjshir project is currently underway, funding has been allocated, and six government agencies are carrying out the initial stages.”

Kabul’s water shortage is no longer just an environmental issue. It has become a challenge for public health, the urban economy, and the human security of millions of residents—a crisis that requires long-term planning, effective management, and cooperation between domestic institutions and the international community.

Islamic Emirate Spokesman Dismisses Badakhshan Clashes as ‘Propaganda’

July 27, 2026 Current News Articles

Hadia Ziaei

Tolo News

27 July 2026

Mujahid also said no malicious elements would be allowed to carry out activities, adding that the Afghan people support the country’s political system.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate, described the recent clashes in Badakhshan as “propaganda” at the opening of the “Government in the Mirror of the Press” program.

Mujahid also said no malicious elements would be allowed to carry out activities, adding that the Afghan people support the country’s political system.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said: “No malicious agenda will be given the opportunity to operate. Such is the determination of the government and the security forces. Whenever people become aware of suspicious activities, they report them to the relevant authorities.”

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate’s Minister of Information and Culture said opponents of the government have no clear objective for fighting and are engaged in violence without a defined purpose.

Khairullah Khairkhwa, Minister of Information and Culture, said: “Who is fighting this war? Who is physically involved in it? These are important questions. Who finances those who fight? Who provides them with shelter? What are their objectives?”

Sheikh Noor-ul-Haq Anwar, Director General of the Administrative Office of the Prime Minister, said: “As Mr. Mujahid pointed out, we have enemies who cannot tolerate the progress and development that Afghans are striving to achieve.”

Elsewhere, Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy, stressed that Afghanistan is a secure country in the region, saying the country’s enemies cannot tolerate its freedom, stability, and economic growth.

Nazari said: “No country in the Middle East is completely secure, and conflict continues in the Caucasus. Afghanistan is the only island of security. That is why our enemies cannot tolerate this freedom, this stability, and this progress.”

At the same event, Abdul Wasi Khadem, Director General of the Office of the Prime Minister, described the role of the media as valuable and stressed that the government’s achievements should be reflected accurately.

Abdul Wasi Khadem, Director General of the Office of the Prime Minister, said: “The Islamic Emirate is working to ensure the media has timely access to accurate and reliable information.”

According to officials, the “Government in the Mirror of the Press” program is intended to provide the public and the media with accurate information on the activities, services, and key achievements of government institutions. The program is scheduled to begin on Tuesday with presentations on the accomplishments of various government agencies.

Opposition Lacks Will & Ability To Fight, Says Taliban Culture Minister

July 27, 2026 Current News Articles

Afghanistan International

27 July 2026

The Taliban’s information and culture minister, Sher Ahmad Haqqani, discussed the group’s recent clashes with opposition forces in Badakhshan during a meeting with media officials in Kabul.

Referring to recent developments in Badakhshan, Haqqani said every war should be examined from five perspectives.

He said it was first necessary to identify the attackers and their financiers, determine who was providing them with shelter, establish their objectives and assess how much local support they had in the areas where they were fighting.

The Taliban’s information and culture minister said an examination of these factors showed that “in reality, nothing has happened”.

Haqqani claimed the Taliban administration could prove to the public, “even to opponents and foreigners”, that conditions in Afghanistan were better than before and that “the people are happy and satisfied”.

Speaking on Monday, 27 July, following opposition attacks in Badakhshan, Haqqani described the situation in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan as good and unprecedented.

He also claimed that the public was cooperating with the Taliban administration.

In his speech, Haqqani referred to Taliban opponents as “murderers, highway robbers and oppressors” and claimed they had no public support.

His remarks come as political and military groups opposed to the Taliban have carried out offensive operations in north-eastern Afghanistan, particularly in Badakhshan, in recent days.

The attacks began last week when the newly formed Sepah-e Mihan Front briefly seized Yaftal district for several hours.

The Afghanistan Freedom Front has also continued attacks against Taliban forces in Zebak district of Badakhshan.

The front says it has carried out continuous attacks over the past four days and destroyed two Taliban drones.

On Sunday, the Afghanistan Freedom Front claimed that its forces had advanced five kilometres towards the centre of Zebak district and captured two more Taliban posts.

Bipartisan Plan to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Afghans in the US

July 25, 2026 Current News Articles

Bibi Amina Hakimi

TOLOnews’ Reporter

25 July 2026

if passed, the bill would prevent eligible Afghans from being deported and allow them to continue living and working in the United States.

A group of Democratic and Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced bipartisan legislation to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals.

if passed, the bill would prevent eligible Afghans from being deported and allow them to continue living and working in the United States.

Under the proposed legislation, eligible Afghan nationals currently residing in the U.S. would remain protected from deportation and retain work authorization. The extension would remain in effect until July 1, 2029.

Rep. Jason Crow said:”This bill would extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals through July 2029. TPS allows foreign nationals fleeing violence, conflict, and instability to live and work in the United States.”

Meanwhile, The Washington Post has reported that some Afghan immigrants and human rights advocates in the United States have expressed concern over a federal government plan to interview about 800 Afghan immigrants.

According to the report, the interviews will include questions about applicants’ identities, their integration into American society, and the immigration status of their family members. The information collected could be retained for up to 15 years.

Mohammad Khan Talebi Mohammadzai, a migrant rights advocate, said:”Legally, such interviews are permitted under U.S. immigration law. However, they must be conducted in accordance with privacy protections, non-discrimination principles, proportional data collection, and safeguards for migrants’ legal rights.”

Some analysts also say that Afghans with pending immigration cases in the United States should not become entangled in political issues and that Washington should facilitate their relocation process.

Mohammad Aslam Danishmal, a university professor, said: “For Afghans waiting for U.S. visas in Qatar, Pakistan, or other countries in the region, the U.S. government should seriously address their cases. These issues should not be politicized.”

The development comes after the U.S. government previously suspended the processing of all green card (permanent residency) applications from nationals of 19 countries, including Afghanistan, whose entry into the United States has been restricted.

Pakistan Says Terrorism from Afghanistan Among Its Most Serious Security Challenges

July 25, 2026 Current News Articles

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

July 25, 2026

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar has described terrorism originating from Afghanistan as one of the country’s most serious security challenges, calling for stronger regional efforts to address the threat.

Dawn reported on Friday, July 24, that Dar made the remarks during a meeting of foreign ministers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Kyrgyzstan.

According to the report, Dar said lasting peace and stability in the region could not be achieved without addressing what he described as the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.

Dar alleged that militant groups continue to recruit, train and operate from Afghanistan territory under the “oversight and facilitation” of Taliban authorities. He also claimed that Afghan nationals have been involved in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, although he did not provide further details or evidence for the allegations in the reported remarks.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban authorities of allowing anti-Pakistan militant groups to operate from Afghanistan territory. Islamabad has particularly raised concerns over the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which it blames for a series of attacks inside the country.

The Taliban authorities have consistently rejected allegations that they provide shelter or support to militant groups seeking to carry out attacks against Pakistan or other countries. Taliban officials have said Afghanistan’s territory will not be used to threaten any foreign state.

The issue remains a major source of tension between Kabul and Islamabad. Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Taliban authorities to take action against militants it says are based in Afghanistan, while the Taliban has denied the allegations and called for dialogue to resolve security concerns.

Dar’s remarks come as Pakistan continues to raise the issue of cross-border militancy at regional and international forums. Relations between the two neighbouring countries remain strained by security concerns, border tensions and disagreements over the status and movement of Afghan nationals in Pakistan.

German Court Blocks Mass Cancellation of Afghan Resettlement Cases

July 24, 2026 Current News Articles

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

July 24, 2026

Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court has ruled that the government cannot collectively cancel previously issued resettlement commitments to Afghan nationals and must assess each affected case individually.

The ruling followed a complaint by an Afghan woman and her two sons, who had been selected for relocation to Germany under the country’s humanitarian admission program after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

The court ruled that the Interior Ministry’s decision in December 2025 to end the program and cancel about 640 remaining commitments without examining the individual circumstances of those affected violated the constitutional prohibition against arbitrary state action.

The judges said the government has broad powers to determine immigration policy but must exercise those powers within the limits of Germany’s Basic Law.

Once German authorities formally inform a person that they have been accepted for admission to Germany, any decision to withdraw that commitment must be based on an assessment of the individual’s circumstances, the court said. A blanket decision affecting a group of applicants is not sufficient.

The court also ordered the competent administrative court to reconsider the Afghan family’s case.

Until the family receives visas or a new decision is issued that complies with constitutional requirements, the German government must continue providing financial support, according to the ruling. The family is currently in Pakistan, where Germany is covering the costs of accommodation and support.

The decision comes as the German government seeks to reduce migration and restrict humanitarian admission programs. The ruling does not prevent Berlin from changing its immigration policies or ending programs for future applicants. It does, however, limit the government’s ability to cancel commitments already made to individuals through a single collective decision.

The judgment could have implications for other Afghan nationals selected under Germany’s humanitarian admission program whose cases remained unresolved after the government moved to end the scheme.

The court did not order Germany to admit every person affected by the cancelled commitments automatically. Instead, it required authorities to examine individual cases and ensure that any decision to withdraw a previous admission commitment complies with constitutional requirements.

The ruling therefore establishes an important legal distinction between changing future migration policy and withdrawing commitments already made to individuals. While the government retains broad authority over immigration policy, that authority cannot be exercised in a manner that ignores the individual circumstances of people who have already received formal assurances of admission.

Iran, Pakistan Discuss Regional Tensions, Reaffirm Commitment to Peace and Stability

July 24, 2026 Current News Articles

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

July 24, 2026

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have discussed recent regional developments and escalating tensions in the Middle East, with Islamabad calling for restraint and a renewed focus on diplomatic engagement.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on Friday, July 24, that Dar held talks with Araghchi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Kyrgyzstan.

According to the ministry, Dar expressed concern over the recent escalation of tensions in the region and stressed the importance of restraint and diplomatic engagement to prevent further instability.

Dar also called for the United States and Iran to return to diplomacy based on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed by Washington and Tehran in June.

The meeting comes as tensions between Iran and the United States have sharply escalated following a brief period of calm after the signing of the Islamabad understanding. The two sides have since returned to military confrontation, raising concerns about a wider regional conflict.

Pakistan has repeatedly called for dialogue and de-escalation amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. Islamabad has also warned of the potential consequences of continued conflict for regional security, trade and maritime routes, particularly around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

The latest diplomatic engagement comes as the Middle East remains tense, with military confrontations and competing security interests involving Iran, the United States and several Gulf countries. Any further escalation could affect energy supplies, international shipping and economic stability across the region.

The meeting between Dar and Araghchi underscores Pakistan’s efforts to encourage a return to negotiations at a time when diplomatic channels between Iran and the United States remain under severe strain.

Araghchi at SCO: Afghanistan’s Stability ‘Strategic for Regional Security’

July 24, 2026 Current News Articles

TOLOnews

TV Network

24 July 2026

Araghchi said Iran supports any initiative aimed at creating a stable Afghanistan and called for an end to tensions and clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting in Kyrgyzstan that Afghanistan’s stability and security are among the region’s most important shared security and development issues, adding that Afghanistan’s security is of strategic importance to all countries in the region.

Referring to Tehran’s historical and cultural ties with Afghanistan, Araghchi said Iran supports any initiative aimed at creating a stable Afghanistan and called for an end to tensions and clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister, said: “We support any initiative that contributes to the establishment of a secure, stable, developed, and terrorism-free Afghanistan with an inclusive government. We also particularly call for an end to tensions and conflict between Afghanistan and our friendly and brotherly country, Pakistan.”

Political analyst Najibullah Bahadur said that Afghanistan’s stability and security are in the interest of regional countries and the wider world, particularly Iran, given the challenges it currently faces.

At the same meeting, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also described Afghanistan’s stability as important. However, during his remarks, he reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding allegations regarding Afghanistan.

Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, said: “Pakistan has always wanted, and continues to want, a peaceful, stable, prosperous, and regionally integrated Afghanistan—one that is at peace with itself and with its neighbors. This is in the interest of all SCO member states and beyond. At present, the terrorist threat emanating from Afghanistan remains one of our most serious security challenges.”

The remarks came as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan once again had no representative at the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has 10 full members: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. Afghanistan holds observer status in the organization.

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