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Afghanistan ranked 2nd on IRC crisis watchlist for 2021

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The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has warned that the most dangerous humanitarian emergencies on their 2021 watchlist includes Afghanistan, which is dealing with a triple threat of COVID, climate change and conflict. 
 
The IRC, which published its 2021 Emergency Watchlist on Tuesday, stated that the most dangerous humanitarian emergencies of 2021 are nearly all neglected. 
 
Their new analysis shows Yemen is the country most at risk of humanitarian catastrophe in 2021, followed by Afghanistan, Syria, Democratic Republic of Congo and then Ethiopia. 
 
The report found that measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic are leaving women behind, as they face devastating harm to economic opportunities, schooling, and access to healthcare in these crisis countries.
 
The IRC stated that ongoing conflict compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change have led to unprecedented emergencies across the globe. 
 
David Miliband, President and CEO at the IRC, said, “2020 will go down as one of the most turbulent years in history, but the next year will be remembered for how we either helped or turned away from those suffering the most. 
 
“Watchlist 2021 should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, government leaders, and concerned citizens around the world about the cost of neglecting humanitarian crises – and how they urgently need international attention,” he said.
 
According to Milliband, “the most severe and devastating crises like Afghanistan, Syria and DRC have been reeling for years or even decades, and are expected to become even worse in 2021.”
 
He also said that the triple threat of conflict, COVID-19 and climate change are dramatically worsening an already dire situation for people living in conflict-affected countries and that women and girls are especially impacted by all aspects of conflict, “as we see rises in violence against women, early and forced marriage, loss of income and education opportunities.”
 
Displacement was also at an historic all time high in conflict-ridden countries, he said and aid agencies like the IRC are increasingly under attack and face obstacles put in place by parties to conflict that prevent them from reaching those most in need.
 
Watchlist 2021 meanwhile also found that long-running conflicts in places like Afghanistan are driving the largest increases in humanitarian needs. 
 
The number of people in need in Afghanistan has risen by 385 percent since 2015. 
 
IRC stated that many of these countries at war “are at risk of an even more violent 2021.”
 
The organization stated that Watchlist countries are the most dangerous places for aid workers: since 2016, 94 percent of all aid workers killed, 84 percent of aid workers injured and 98 percent of aid workers kidnapped have been in the countries on this year’s list.
 
“Wars are increasingly fought without respect for International Humanitarian Law, resulting in direct harm to civilians and critical infrastructure,” the report read.
 
The Watchlist’s ranked Top Ten is where the IRC assesses there is greatest risk of deterioration leading to the most serious emergencies in 2021. The countries, in order of most at risk, are as follows:
 
1. Yemen
 
2. Afghanistan
 
3. Syria
 
4. Democratic Republic of the Congo
 
5. Ethiopia
 
6. Burkina Faso
 
7. South Sudan
 
8. Nigeria
 
9. Venezuela
 
10. Mozambique

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Afghan interpreter for US army detained by ICE in San Diego

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An Afghan man who formerly served as an interpreter for the U.S. Army has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following his arrest on Thursday at a federal courthouse in downtown San Diego.

The man, who is seeking asylum in the United States, was taken into custody shortly after his initial immigration hearing. His detention is part of a recent wave of courthouse arrests by federal immigration authorities in San Diego and across the country.

According to FOX 5/KUSI, cellphone video obtained shows federal agents approaching the man moments after his hearing. In the footage, agents can be heard repeatedly asking for his name. The man, accompanied by his attorney, declined to respond. Agents then handcuffed him in the courthouse hallway before presenting a warrant.

According to the man, he worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan and possesses documentation to support his claim.

His attorney, Brian McGoldrick, confirmed that his client served as an interpreter for the U.S. Army for three years prior to the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.

“He and his brothers also operated a logistics company in Afghanistan, supplying significant amounts of material to U.S. and allied forces,” McGoldrick said.

ICE has not publicly commented on the case. The man’s legal team is now working to secure his release and protect his claim for asylum.

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Efforts ongoing to export Afghanistan’s fresh fruits to new markets: Ministry

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The Ministry of Industry and Commerce says in addition to existing markets, Afghanistan’s fresh fruits will also be exported this year to new markets in regional countries.

Officials from the ministry added that fresh fruits will be exported to new regional markets including Russia, Central Asian countries, and the Gulf states.

They emphasized their efforts to increase the volume of exports this year compared to the previous year.

Abdul Salam Jawad Akhundzada, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, stated: “We anticipate exporting our fresh fruits and agricultural products to Russia, Central Asian countries, Arab countries, as well as to India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other nations. We are prepared for this.”

Meanwhile, members of the private sector consider South Asian countries to be the most suitable markets for Afghanistan’s dried and fresh fruits.

However, they stress that due to certain challenges, the government must take steps to find new markets for national exports.

“Good opportunities have been created through customs tariffs. For example, Uzbekistan has reduced customs duties on Afghan exports by 80 percent. Our traders can take advantage of this opportunity to establish a trade corridor between Kazakhstan and Russia,” said Mirwais Hajizada, deputy head of the Chamber of Agriculture and Livestock.

This comes as, due to the lack of suitable foreign markets, Afghan farmers are often forced to sell their produce such as watermelon, melon, apples, apricots, grapes, and other fruits at very low prices in local markets every year.

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Afghan embassy in Turkey resumes passport issuance after 4 years

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The Embassy of Afghanistan in Turkey has resumed the issuance of passports to Afghan citizens after a four-year suspension, the mission announced late Friday.

Passport services at the embassy had been halted in 2021 following the collapse of the previous Afghan government and the fall of Kabul to the Islamic Emirate.

In February this year, a foreign ministry official in Kabul that the Islamic Emirate’s diplomats at the Afghanistan embassy in Ankara provide consular services and represent the country.

It come after the embassy said in a statement that all diplomats appointed by the previous government would end their missions.

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