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Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund report highlights problems tackled
Mohammad Jamal Alsaati, Special Advisor to IsDB President and IsDB Coordinator for Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF), said this week that 14 projects, signed in 2023, have materialized at a total cost of $35.35 million.
He said in a statement issued Sunday that of this, $24.14 was from contributions from AHTF with a further $12.21 million provided by implementing partners and other international organizations.
Alsaati said all the services provided have created job and capacity building opportunities for the people of Afghanistan and that as of March 2024, pledges to the fund totaled almost $35 million, with more funding expected.
Alsaati’s comments were in a statement issued by the Islamic Development Bank, (IsDB), after it released the first comprehensive report on the achievements of the AHTF.
The report highlights the coordinated efforts by the IsDB, its partners, and stakeholders towards “Promoting Self Reliance and Resilience” in Afghanistan.
The AHTF’s mission is to provide initial humanitarian aid but then to prioritize development and self-reliance to move beyond emergency assistance – promoting reconstruction, empowerment and sustainable development.
IsDB President and Group Chairman, Muhammad Al Jasser meanwhile said following the release of the report that after receiving generous contributions, the AHTF “sprung into action, delivering essential aid to Afghanistan’s most vulnerable communities.”
He said the fund was able to tackle food insecurity, offer child nutrition programs, provide healthcare, innovative education, clean water, sanitation and hygiene services.
“Our projects are making a tangible difference on the ground,” Jasser said.
The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha also reacted to the report and said: “We are very pleased to see several humanitarian and development-focused projects are underway in Afghanistan – driven by the IsDB in collaboration with its regional and global partners.
“But much work still lies ahead, so we look forward to further help and support from our Member States, in addition to continued financial assistance for the AHTF from international aid and relief agencies,” said Taha.
The fund was established at a Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC on 19th December 2021.
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Turkey invites IEA’s commerce minister to Antalya Diplomacy Forum
Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met on Thursday with Sadin Ayyıldız, Chargé d’Affaires of the Turkish Embassy in Kabul. During the meeting, Ayyıldız invited the Minister of Industry and Commerce to participate in Turkey’s Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Industry, the meeting also emphasized the economic, trade, and historical relations between Kabul and Ankara, as well as the export of Afghan goods to Turkey.
The two sides discussed increasing trade volume between the two countries, strengthening economic relations, facilitating and enhancing commercial activities, cooperation in road transport along various routes, activating the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, and regional cooperation.
Azizi, while thanking Turkey for inviting the Islamic Emirate to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, introduced the Ministry’s technical team to ensure better coordination and planning.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum is an international conference held annually in Turkey, aimed at examining global challenges and finding joint solutions through dialogue and diplomacy. It hosts representatives from more than 100 countries, including presidents, leaders, high-ranking officials, international organizations, analysts, and media from various countries.
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Afghan, Malaysian PMs discuss situation between Kabul and Islamabad
Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate, in a telephone conversation initiated by Mohammad Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, discussed regional developments, particularly the recent situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said in a statement that Hassan Akhund stated during the call that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s principled position is clear and that it believes in resolving issues through mutual understanding and cooperation.
Hassan Akhund added that during Eid al-Fitr, at the request of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, the Islamic Emirate demonstrated its goodwill by respecting a pause in defensive operations.
He stated that violence benefits no party and that actions that increase tensions should be avoided, emphasizing that wisdom and rationality must guide efforts to resolve problems.
He also expressed concern over rising regional tensions following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
The Malaysian Prime Minister also expressed concern about the regional situation and hoped that the temporary halt in hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan would continue, and that existing problems could be resolved through sincere negotiations and understanding.
He added that Malaysia aims to play a positive role in facilitating understanding between both parties.
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Iranian naval commander Alireza Tangsiri killed in airstrike, says Israel
Israel’s defence minister says that an Israeli air strike has killed Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ navy.
The killing was carried out “last night, in a precise and lethal operation” and targeted other “senior officers of the naval command”, said Israel Katz, in a video statement.
“The man who was directly responsible for the terrorist operation of mining and blocking the Strait of Hormuz to shipping was blown up and eliminated,” he claimed.
Since the start of the joint US-Israeli war on Iran on February 28, Israel has announced the assassination of several top Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Republic ‘s powerful security chief, Ali Larijani.
Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi, reporting from Tehran, said there was no official Iranian confirmation yet of Tangsiri’s killing.
“But if it’s true it’s going to be another major blow for a country that has already experienced a lot of military commanders being killed” since the war began, he said.
The head of the Basij paramilitary forces, Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani, and Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib were also assassinated in Israeli attacks.
Moreover, in recent days, Israeli forces have carried out several strikes targeting the naval assets of Iran.
Last week, Israeli airstrikes hit several Iranian naval ships in the Caspian Sea, including ones equipped with missile systems, support vessels, and patrol craft.
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