Flash floods affected more than 1,100 families across 14 provinces of Afghanistan in July, damaging or destroying over 1,100 homes, according to UNICEF’s latest humanitarian situation report covering July 1–31.

UNICEF said 1,168 families were affected by the floods, while 1,164 homes were damaged or destroyed.

In Parun, the capital of Nuristan province, 23 people were killed in flooding, while water services for around 1,000 families were disrupted.

Despite the ongoing humanitarian challenges, UNICEF said it continued supporting essential health services across the country through 2,393 static health facilities and 16 mobile facilities.

The UN agency also responded to 245 disease outbreaks during July, while approximately 183,000 children under the age of five received measles vaccinations.

Access to clean water and sanitation also remained a key focus. During the month, around 96,300 people gained access to safe drinking water, while 89,061 people received basic sanitation services. Essential WASH supplies were also provided to 180,814 people.

Child malnutrition remained another major concern. UNICEF and its partners screened approximately 1.1 million children for wasting during July, with 104,602 children admitted for treatment.

In addition, 10.3 million children aged 6–59 months received vitamin A supplementation as part of efforts to prevent malnutrition and protect child health.

UNICEF said its humanitarian response remains focused on ensuring vulnerable children and families across Afghanistan can access essential health, nutrition, water and sanitation services amid continued humanitarian needs.

The Lahore High Court has temporarily stopped authorities from expelling 13 Afghan medical students from colleges in Punjab, directing the University of Health Sciences (UHS), Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and the concerned medical colleges to respond at the next hearing.

Justice Khalid Ishaq issued the interim order while hearing petitions filed by the students, including Sabiha Daftani and Waheeda Asad Rasool, challenging directives seeking their removal from medical colleges.

The petitioners told the court that they are enrolled in medical colleges across Punjab, with several already in their fourth and fifth years of MBBS.

The court’s intervention comes amid wider uncertainty facing Afghan medical students in Pakistan. Last month, the Lahore High Court suspended the operation of directives issued by the PMDC requiring Afghan medical students to return to Afghanistan.

The latest order means the 13 students cannot be expelled while the court considers their petitions and awaits responses from the relevant authorities.

The case highlights the difficulties faced by Afghan students pursuing medical education in Pakistan, where changes to immigration and education policies have created uncertainty over their ability to complete their studies.

The court is expected to consider the responses from the UHS, PMDC and the medical colleges at the next hearing.

Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev held a telephone conversation with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on September 14, focusing on strengthening practical cooperation between the two countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The two foreign ministers discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation, with particular emphasis on expanding trade, economic and investment ties, the ministry said.

“Particular attention was paid to enhancing further trade, economic and investment cooperation,” the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

During the call, the Afghan side also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on the successful organization of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit and the 6th World Nomad Games.

Afghanistan further congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, according to the statement.

The conversation comes as Kabul and Bishkek seek to expand economic and diplomatic engagement, with trade and investment emerging as key areas of potential cooperation.