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19 % decrease in poppy cultivation: MoCN
The Ministry of Counter Narcotics (MoCN) says that opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan decreased 19 per cent in 2015, compared to the previous year.
The minister of counter narcotics in a press conference noted that in the year 2015 we witness a decrease in poppy cultivation and many achievements in seizing drugs.
“Of the 224,000 hectares of lands 183000 of them cultivated poppy, which shows a 19 percent decrease,” said Salamat Azimi, minister of counter narcotics.
Azimi emphasized that Afghan Opium Cultivation decreases for the first time in six years.
Lower levels of cultivation translates to a 48 percent reduction in the potential production of opium in 2015 – 3,300 tons compared to 6,400 tons in 2014.
According to a U.N. and Afghan government joint survey, unfavorable weather conditions were a major reason for the decline. They also pointed out there was a change in the methodology used to estimate areas of poppy cultivation, and while there was certainly a decrease, the percentage may not be exact.
In the meantime, deputy of counter narcotics interior ministry said about the lack of enough forces to stop selling drugs.
“We do not have the capacity to prevent selling drugs in the capital. I have to say that we have seized around 2500 kilograms of drugs from Sayed Abad and Ahmad Abad districts of Paktia province,” said Baz Muhammad Ahmadi, deputy of interior ministry counter narcotics.
However, the United Nations announced the increase of poppy cultivation in the north and capital.
“Balkh, Faryab, Badghis, Sar-e Pul, Uruzgan, Ghor, Kunduz and Kabul are those provinces which poppy cultivations show increase in them,” said Regional representative of the UN Office on Drug Control.
Billions of dollars have been spent on counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan in the past decade, including programs encouraging farmers to switch to other cash crops like wheat, fruit and saffron.
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Severe rainfall and natural disasters cause heavy casualties across Afghanistan
At least 61 people have been confirmed dead, with 116 others injured. Four individuals remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations are underway.
The Spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, has confirmed widespread devastation across the country following a series of natural disasters and heavy rainfall. The toll continues to rise as authorities assess the damage.
At least 61 people have been confirmed dead, with 116 others injured. Four individuals remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations are underway. The disaster has also led to the destruction of 2,448 homes, leaving thousands displaced, while 26,841 acres of agricultural land have been severely damaged. In addition, the storm claimed the lives of 1,045 livestock animals, further exacerbating the already dire situation for rural communities.
In a statement, Mujahid emphasized the ongoing relief efforts. The Islamic Emirate is mobilizing all available resources to assist the hardest-hit regions and ensure the swift recovery of affected communities. The focus remains on providing immediate aid, including shelter, medical supplies, and food, while also beginning the long-term process of reconstruction and recovery.
Authorities have urged citizens in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant as more rain is forecast, adding to the urgency of the ongoing relief operations.
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Afghan citizens reported among casualties in US, Israeli attacks, Iran says
As of now, authorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have not issued an official response to the claims.
Iran’s Embassy in Kabul, citing Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, has stated that a number of Afghan citizens were killed or injured during what Tehran described as a 35-day military campaign carried out by the United States and Israel.
According to the statement, the Afghan nationals were living in Iran at the time of the attacks. Baghaei referred to them as “honored guests” of the country, adding that some lost their lives while others sustained injuries during the reported strikes.
He did not provide specific figures regarding the number of Afghan casualties or further details about the incidents.
As of now, authorities of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have not issued an official response to the claims.
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Save the Children: Nearly one Afghan child killed or injured daily by explosive remnants
Despite the efforts of aid organizations and demining groups, the scale of the contamination remains overwhelming.
Save the Children has issued a stark warning, revealing that nearly one Afghan child is killed or injured every day by explosive remnants of war (ERW). In its latest report, the global humanitarian organization emphasized the ongoing and deadly impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance scattered across the country, a legacy of decades of conflict.
From January 2025 to January 2026, 338 Afghan children were killed, injured, or permanently disabled by explosive remnants. Shockingly, children represented nearly 70 percent of all casualties from such explosions during this period. Save the Children’s report underscores that Afghanistan continues to have the highest number of child casualties due to explosive remnants worldwide.
The report highlights that vast swathes of Afghanistan remain contaminated with hazardous materials, with more than 2.7 million people – including many children – living within one kilometer of these dangerous zones. These hazardous areas, often located in fields, pastures, and farmlands, remain uncleared despite ongoing demining efforts. Afghanistan is now considered one of the most contaminated countries globally, with nearly 5,000 hazardous sites still awaiting clearance.
The danger is particularly acute for rural and nomadic communities, including the Kuchi, who traverse long distances in search of water and grazing lands. These communities face severe challenges in accessing healthcare, education, and protection services, further compounding the risks posed by unexploded devices.
To address the growing threat, Save the Children has launched mobile awareness programs aimed at teaching children, particularly in remote and underserved regions, how to identify and avoid explosive hazards. These programs are crucial in helping to reduce the number of child casualties, as children are often unaware of the dangers in their environment.
Despite the efforts of aid organizations and demining groups, the scale of the contamination remains overwhelming. Funding shortages continue to hamper the progress of clearance operations, leaving families and children exposed to the deadly remnants of past conflicts.
“Explosive remnants of war are not just a legacy of Afghanistan’s past; they are an ongoing humanitarian emergency that continues to claim innocent lives,” said Save the Children. “The international community must step up its support to ensure the safety of Afghan children and accelerate efforts to clear these life-threatening hazards.”
As the country struggles to recover from years of conflict, the need for comprehensive and sustained demining operations, alongside better access to education and healthcare for at-risk communities, has never been more urgent.
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