Caroline Davies

In 2024, UNICEF provided clean drinking water to 688,000 people across Afghanistan, improving access in schools, hospitals, and homes.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that in 2024, it has provide access to clean drinking water for 688,000 people in Afghanistan. This initiative is part of their ongoing efforts to improve the living conditions of children and families in the country.

On Sunday, March 23, in a message marking World Water Day, UNICEF added that clean water has been provided in schools, hospitals, and homes. This is part of their continued efforts to ensure access to safe water for vulnerable populations, particularly children.

UNICEF emphasizes that every child deserves access to clean drinking water and highlights the importance of maintaining their health and well-being. Clean water is essential for children’s growth, development, and overall health, and this initiative is aimed at securing a better future for them.

In contrast, the International Red Cross Committee noted on World Water Day that 33 million people in Afghanistan still lack access to clean drinking water, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the country in this regard.

Earlier, UNICEF reported that in 2023 and 2024, it had provided clean drinking water to 25 districts in the eastern provinces of Afghanistan. This is part of their broader mission to improve access to clean water in areas that are most in need, especially in rural and underserved regions.

This initiative from UNICEF is a significant step towards addressing the critical water crisis in Afghanistan, where millions still lack access to basic services. With ongoing support from international organizations, efforts to improve water access can lead to better health outcomes and a stronger foundation for development in Afghanistan.

Multiple reports from international organizations and environmental experts, marking World Water Day, have raised alarms about the planet’s water security. Researchers, citing the latest findings, warn that the future of the world’s water resources is in grave danger.

According to reports, global warming is occurring faster than previously predicted. Global temperatures could rise by 2.7°C by the end of the century unless greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced. The rapid increase in temperatures is leading to the accelerated melting of glaciers and polar ice caps, which supply 70% of the world’s freshwater.

The warming climate is also increasing evaporation rates, with every degree rise in temperature potentially increasing evaporation by up to 7%. This has led to the drying up of lakes, wetlands, and reduced water reserves behind dams, particularly affecting dry and semi-dry regions like the Middle East.

The new findings indicate that Earth’s water security is on the brink of an unprecedented crisis. Melting polar ice caps, although increasing water flow in the short term, are depleting sustainable water sources in the long term. The combined challenges of repeated droughts, reduced rainfall, and growing water demand due to population growth create immense pressure on ecosystems and human communities.

The urgency of addressing these issues is highlighted: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, managing water resources more efficiently, and investing in climate-adaptive technologies. Water security is no longer a distant threat; it is an immediate concern affecting billions of lives. Global cooperation and commitment to sustainable development are the only ways to mitigate these risks and ensure a secure future for generations to come.

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Interior Minister under the Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan, continues to draw international attention as signs of evolving U.S. policy emerge. Sources close to the Haqqani network have told Afghan outlet Tolo News that the reward designations on key figures of the group have been lifted by the U.S. government. According to these sources, Sirajuddin Haqqani, along with Abdul Aziz Haqqani and Yahya Haqqani, are no longer included on the U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice list.

This development follows a period of growing engagement between the United States and the de facto Afghan authorities. Earlier this month, a U.S. delegation visited Kabul for the first time since 2021, reportedly focusing on the release of American detainees. One of those detainees, George Glezmann, was subsequently freed after over two years in custody and returned to the United States.

Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, told Afghan media that while the return of detained Americans was the top priority of the visit, broader and longer-term issues were also discussed with Taliban officials. She did not elaborate on those discussions, citing political sensitivity.

While Sirajuddin Haqqani’s profile has indeed been removed from the State Department’s Rewards for Justice website, his name remains listed on the FBI’s Most Wanted database with no visible changes to his profile or the reward amount. This contrast has raised questions about the exact nature of the changes, and whether they reflect a shift in designation or are part of a phased diplomatic strategy.

Symbolically, anti-U.S. slogans once painted on the walls of the former U.S. Embassy in Kabul have reportedly been removed. This act, though subtle, aligns with a growing trend of more moderate and engagement-focused messaging from the current leadership.

At the regional level, India has also confirmed its ongoing engagement with the Taliban government. On March 20, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated that New Delhi had chosen to engage with those in control in Afghanistan, driven by humanitarian imperatives. India has provided large-scale food aid, COVID-19 vaccines, and development assistance since August 2021, and Indian envoys have met with top Taliban officials in recent months.

India’s approach mirrors a broader recalibration of regional strategy. As the U.S. looks to stabilize its influence in South Asia, some analysts suggest that India may become a more active partner in shaping regional outcomes, while traditional players such as Pakistan—closely aligned with China—may find their roles shifting in the evolving landscape.

Although there is no official confirmation from U.S. authorities regarding a change in Haqqani’s legal designation, the combination of recent diplomatic activity, removals from key sanctions lists, and a shift in regional posture point to a growing willingness by international actors to engage in measured, pragmatic dialogue with the Afghan leadership.

A group of protesting women has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to prosecute Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. representative for Afghanistan peace affairs.

In an open letter to Trump, the women accused Zalmay Khalilzad of betraying American values and turning the Taliban into a legitimate group. They said his actions led to the oppression Afghan women now face under Taliban rule.

The protesters issued a statement on Saturday, March 22, accusing Khalilzad of contributing to the resurgence of the Taliban and of compromising women’s rights in Afghanistan. They believe that the peace agreements he helped facilitate have had devastating effects on the female population in the country, restricting their access to essential rights and opportunities for development.

The letter, signed by over a dozen women’s organizations, including the Afghan Women’s Lantern Movement and the Afghan Women’s Justice Movement, calls for Zalmay Khalilzad to be held accountable in a court of law.

The groups emphasized that Afghan women, as direct victims of Khalilzad’s actions, are suffering the catastrophic consequences of his policies. They demand a fair and transparent legal process to address these issues.

They emphasize that his efforts led to a situation where millions of Afghan women and girls have been deprived of education and employment opportunities.

This controversial call comes amid reports that Khalilzad has recently traveled to Afghanistan under Taliban rule as part of a U.S. delegation to negotiate the release of an American citizen. Despite the years of diplomatic work he has done, the women’s protests underscore their belief that his actions have indirectly harmed the future of millions of Afghanistan’s women.

As the protests continue to grow, there are increasing calls for accountability regarding the peace processes that led to the Taliban’s resurgence. These events highlight the stark contrast between the promises of peace and the harsh reality faced by Afghan women under Taliban rule. The growing dissatisfaction and outcry from women’s rights groups could influence future U.S. foreign policy decisions on Afghanistan.