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FAO warns deadly livestock virus threatens 21 million animals in Afghanistan
The highly contagious viral disease can wipe out entire herds, devastating families who rely on livestock for both income and nutrition.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that a fast-spreading and deadly livestock disease is threatening more than 21 million sheep and goats across Afghanistan, endangering rural livelihoods and food security.
In a statement this week, FAO said the outbreak of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) — commonly known as “small ruminant plague” — poses a severe risk to Afghanistan’s fragile agricultural sector, which is already struggling with drought, shrinking pastures, and limited veterinary support. The highly contagious viral disease can wipe out entire herds, devastating families who rely on livestock for both income and nutrition.
“PPR is one of the most destructive diseases affecting livestock in Afghanistan,” FAO said. “Without urgent and widespread vaccination, the livelihoods of millions of herders are at serious risk.”
To contain the spread, FAO — with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of the United Kingdom — has launched a nationwide vaccination campaign across all 34 provinces. The campaign aims to reach millions of animals over the coming months and strengthen veterinary capacity to detect and respond to future outbreaks.
Livestock remains one of Afghanistan’s few stable economic sectors, providing income for nearly 70 percent of rural households. However, years of conflict, climate change, and underfunded animal health services have left herding communities increasingly vulnerable.
FAO said the current vaccination drive is part of its broader effort to rebuild veterinary networks, train local animal health workers, and protect the livestock sector from further collapse.
The U.N. agency also appealed to international donors for continued support, warning that without sustained intervention, Afghanistan could face “irreversible losses” in livestock production, worsening the country’s already critical food insecurity.
“Livestock are not just assets — they are the foundation of rural survival,” FAO noted. “Protecting them means protecting Afghan families, livelihoods, and food systems.”
Farid Dehqan, spokesperson for the Khas Kunar police command, said that rocket attacks by the Pakistani military regime are still ongoing in the province.
These attacks come despite earlier announcements by the Pakistani military of a temporary ceasefire for Eid.
Afghanistan’s Chief of Armed Forces, Fasihuddin Fitrat, said in his Eid message that Pakistan’s military regime has violated the ceasefire along the Durand line.
According to the Eid message released by the Ministry of Defense, several civilians were killed in attacks carried out by Pakistani forces in border areas.
Fitrat added that the continuation of Pakistan’s attacks despite the ceasefire “demonstrates a lack of commitment and deception” on the part of the country.
He stressed that the Islamic Emirate has refrained from retaliatory action in order to prevent further deterioration of the situation and has remained committed to the ceasefire.
However, he warned that if such attacks are repeated, “the ceasefire will become meaningless,” and the Islamic Emirate will deliver a “decisive response” to Pakistan’s actions.
It is worth noting that the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan reached a temporary ceasefire on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr through mediation by Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
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Security Sources: Pakistani military shelling in Kunar and Nuristan leaves female doctor dead
The sources said the vehicle was struck by gunfire and subsequently fell into the Kunar River.
Security sources report that several security incidents in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nuristan have resulted in the death of a female doctor, injuries to others, and several people reported missing.
According to the sources, early Thursday morning at around 9:30 a.m., Pakistani military forces opened fire on a Toyota vehicle in the Dokalam Baghcha area of Nari district in Kunar province.
The sources said the vehicle was struck by gunfire and subsequently fell into the Kunar River. As a result of the incident, a female doctor was killed and another person was injured. Five other individuals who were reportedly in the vehicle remain missing, the sources added.
In a separate incident, security sources stated that around 11:00 a.m. in the Seno area of Shultan district, Kunar province, Pakistani forces carried out artillery shelling that left one person injured. The injured individual was transferred to the provincial hospital for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, security sources in Nuristan say that despite Pakistan’s announced ceasefire, the main road between Kamdesh and Barg-e-Matal districts has been completely closed to traffic since Thursday morning.
According to the sources, the closure of the route has caused serious difficulties for local residents, preventing any movement in the area. The sources also claim that Pakistani military posts are located within close proximity of the road and have opened fire on people attempting to pass through the area.
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