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EU provides 500,000 euros for Afghan earthquake relief efforts

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The European Union has contributed 500,000 euros to support the food needs of communities in the Afghan provinces of Paktika and Khost which were affected by an earthquake in late June, The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said on Thursday.

The funds will help WFP deliver emergency food assistance to more than 170,000 earthquake-affected people over six months

“The majority of the people of Afghanistan are reeling from the effects of the ongoing economic crisis and cannot absorb any exacerbating shocks, including the earthquake that has hit these provinces,” said Marianna Franco, who oversees EU humanitarian programmes in Afghanistan. “We are stepping up our support to ensure WFP has dedicated funding for this environmental disaster that comes as an emergency on top of an emergency.”

The 5.9 magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on 22 June 2022 – the strongest the country has known in over 20 years – further devastated families already struggling to meet their basic needs during a time of acute economic and political upheaval. More than two months later, families are still living in emergency shelters as their destroyed homes are structurally unsafe, and communities still rely largely on humanitarian assistance for survival, WFP said.

“WFP was on the ground immediately to assess the damage and respond,” said WFP Afghanistan’s Country Director Mary-Ellen McGroarty. “Through heavy rain and winds and poor internet connectivity, WFP and our partners have been working to reach those affected with food and supplies, but the communities in these provinces will need our support for several months as they rebuild. We are thankful to the EU for being one of the first donors to contribute towards this urgent need, which enabled our swift deployment of food and logistics equipment.”

The new funding will help boost WFP’s ability to replenish its food supplies over several months and to transition from distributing emergency High-Energy Biscuits (HEB) to full food baskets of wheat flour, vegetable oil, pulses and salt in the districts of Giyan and Bamal in Paktika Province, and Spera in Khost Province.

One year into an economic collapse, humanitarian needs in Afghanistan are at an all-time high, further strained by soaring global food and energy prices due to the conflict in Ukraine. Hunger is cutting across socioeconomic divides, with 18.9 million people experiencing acute levels of food insecurity and 6 million one step away from famine, WFP noted.

The EU’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid department has been a long-time donor for WFP Afghanistan, having contributed over EUR 75.5 million since 2021 towards WFP’s emergency assistance to people affected by conflict and natural hazards in the country.

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Floods in Nuristan kill dozens of livestock following heavy rain and hail

Residents said the storms and hail have caused serious damage to their livestock, worsening economic hardships for many families in the area.

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Heavy rainfall and hailstorms in Kamdesh district of Nuristan province have caused severe flooding, killing dozens of livestock and leaving local families facing major financial losses, provincial officials said.

According to the Nuristan provincial media office, floods swept through Nangal village, killing around 70 animals, including cows, calves, goats, and sheep.

Residents said the storms and hail have caused serious damage to their livestock, worsening economic hardships for many families in the area. They have urged government authorities and aid organizations to provide urgent assistance.

The Nuristan provincial administration expressed concern over the incident, stating that relevant departments would assess the damage and take necessary steps to support affected households.

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Iran allegedly relocates aircraft to Pakistan and Afghanistan amid US strike fears: CBS Reports

The spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, denied the presence of Iranian aircraft in Afghanistan in comments to CBS News.

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Iran is reported to have moved several military and civilian aircraft to Pakistan and Afghanistan, reportedly to safeguard them from potential US airstrikes, according to CBS News citing unnamed informed sources.

The report claimed that multiple Iranian military aircraft were spotted at Pakistan’s Nur Khan Air Base near Islamabad, including an RC-130 reconnaissance plane. Additionally, CBS News said Iran’s Mahan Air had transferred part of its civilian fleet to Kabul before the escalation of regional tensions, with aircraft later moved to Herat Airport amid clashes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

However, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, denied the presence of Iranian aircraft in Afghanistan in comments to CBS News. Pakistani officials also rejected claims that Iranian military planes were stationed at their airbases, describing the reports as inaccurate.

The situation underscores heightened regional security concerns as tensions continue to rise over potential US military action.

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UN warns hunger crisis in Afghanistan deepening, women and children most affected

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned that persistent funding shortfalls have sharply reduced supplies of specialized nutritional food crucial for treating malnourished women and children.

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The United Nations has issued a stark warning that hunger and food insecurity are worsening in Afghanistan, with women and children facing the most severe consequences amid ongoing economic and humanitarian challenges.

According to UN agencies, Afghanistan continues to struggle with overlapping crises, including economic collapse, widespread unemployment, and climate-related shocks that have devastated livelihoods across the country. Rising regional tensions have also driven up food prices, putting additional pressure on vulnerable households.

“The little food we can afford we give to our children, but that is not enough,” said Raqiba Ahmadi, a resident of Faizabad city in northeastern Afghanistan. She added that her youngest daughter is recovering from malnutrition while her husband remains unemployed.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned that persistent funding shortfalls have sharply reduced supplies of specialized nutritional food crucial for treating malnourished women and children.

Millions of Afghans remain at risk of severe hunger, prompting humanitarian organizations to call for sustained international support to prevent the situation from worsening further.

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