Afghanistan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have discussed expanding cooperation to strengthen agriculture, irrigation, rural livelihoods and infrastructure across the country.

During a meeting with Agriculture Minister Ataullah Omari, UNDP Resident Representative Stephen Rodriques outlined the agency’s ongoing efforts to support Afghanistan’s rural economy through alternative livelihood and development programs.

Rodriques said UNDP has provided chemical fertilizer to 2,000 farmers, established greenhouses, developed agricultural marketplaces and launched several initiatives aimed at boosting agricultural production under its alternative livelihoods program.

He added that UNDP has also completed 270 rural infrastructure projects, including irrigation canals, check dams and other water management facilities. The projects are designed to improve water resource management, increase agricultural productivity, promote mechanization and raise rural household incomes.

Omari welcomed the UNDP’s continued support and emphasized the importance of ensuring the completed projects are used effectively. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working closely with development partners to strengthen Afghanistan’s agriculture sector and improve the livelihoods of farmers and livestock owners.

The minister also said the government is pursuing policies to increase domestic agricultural production and reduce dependence on imports. As part of that effort, tariffs on several imported agricultural products, including vegetables, fruit and powdered milk, have been increased to encourage local production and support the rural economy.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the protection of civilians following Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces that reportedly killed and injured dozens of people.

Speaking at a press briefing, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their differences through dialogue and stressed that all parties must adhere to international humanitarian law.

“We continue to call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and stress that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times,” Dujarric said.

He cited the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which reported that numerous civilians were killed and injured in overnight airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in the three eastern provinces.

“Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that the latest attacks have also reportedly triggered displacement, and humanitarian partners on the ground are assessing needs and preparing to provide emergency assistance,” Dujarric added.

According to reports, at least 36 civilians were killed and more than 160 others were wounded in the strikes. The casualties reportedly included women, children and elderly people who were inside residential homes at the time of the attacks.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan condemned the airstrikes, describing them as a violation of Afghanistan’s airspace and calling them a “crime” and a “cowardly act.”

The UK government has unveiled plans to require asylum seekers who find employment after being granted protection to repay up to £10,000 toward the cost of their accommodation and financial support.

The proposal forms part of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, which is due to be introduced to Parliament on Tuesday. Under the plan, individuals would need to repay the debt before becoming eligible for settled status, also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain.

The repayment scheme is expected to operate similarly to the student loan system, with monthly deductions beginning once a person’s income exceeds a threshold that has yet to be announced.

According to the Home Office, the standard repayment amount will initially be set at £10,000, although the Home Secretary will have the authority to adjust the figure. Those who leave the UK before repaying the debt would be required to settle the full amount if they later seek to return.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the measure is intended to reduce the financial burden of the asylum system while ensuring those who are able to contribute do so.

“We have already reduced asylum costs by £1 billion, but it is also right that we ask those who can contribute to do so,” Mahmood said, adding that asylum support is “a right, but it is also a responsibility.”

The government says the asylum system cost around £4 billion last year. Home Office figures show it costs an average of £23.25 per day to house an asylum seeker in dispersal accommodation and £144 per day in hotel accommodation, while weekly subsistence payments range from £9.95 to £49.18 per person.

The proposal has drawn mixed reactions. Migration experts have questioned how much revenue the scheme would generate, noting that many refugees enter low-paid employment. Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, said the financial impact on public finances is likely to be limited because relatively few asylum seekers are expected to earn enough to make significant repayments.

She also warned the policy could discourage some refugees from accepting accommodation or seeking work if repayment obligations are perceived as too burdensome.

Human rights organisations have criticised the proposal, arguing it could hinder integration. Zoe Dexter of the Helen Bamber Foundation described the policy as unfair, saying many refugees arrive in the UK after fleeing conflict and persecution with few or no financial resources.

The announcement comes as the UK government continues efforts to reduce the use of hotels for asylum accommodation, with plans to expand the use of former military sites to house asylum seekers ahead of the next general election. Home Office data shows the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 2022.