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Herat earthquake victims appeal for more aid
Families affected by the recent earthquakes in Herat have appealed to aid agencies to provide them with more help, such as shelter, food and clothing. They say temperatures are dropping and they won’t be able to live in tents through winter.
Distribution of aid by numerous foreign organizations continues daily in the quake-hit area – aid that is being sent in by individuals, governments and humanitarian aid organizations.
The survivors however are sleeping in tents in camps on open ground and are terrified of further quakes. Since October 7, they have endured three 6.3 magnitude earthquakes and a string of strong after shocks, many recorded at over 5.0 magnitude.
Hundreds of homes have been completely destroyed and most victims have lost all their belongings.
“We have nothing, all our possessions are buried under the ground and we cannot live in these tents either,” said one earthquake victim Sangin.
“We have not received help, we need [building] materials and help,” said Najib, another Herat resident.
Aid organizations and international organizations are however working in the worst-hit areas daily and the process of distributing aid continues. In addition to cooked meals, organizations are handing out wheat, flour, oil and other basic essentials.
“We have created five committees for four districts, in which there are two health committees, three disaster teams that are busy in each region, and we want to provide aid to the victims in a transparent manner,” said Seyyed Minhajuddin Hashemi, head of the Afghan Red Crescent in Farah.
“We have brought seven types of aid to the victims of the earthquake, which includes tents, blankets, tea, sugar, cooking oil and flour,” said Mohammad Alam Shahab, head of the German Committee for Afghan Children, which is also helping in the area.
However, winter is fast approaching, which is a major concern for the quake victims who say they will lose their children if they don’t have proper shelter in the next few weeks.
“Winter is coming and there must be a shelter and that is our problem,” said Daoud, an earthquake survivor.
“It is not livable here at all,” another local, Sangin, said.
“Our whole life is gone,” said Ghulam Haider.
Injil and Zindajan districts of Herat sustained the most damage in the quakes. They say they desperately need proper housing as the tents will not withstand the harsh winter.
The Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan has announced scholarship opportunities for Afghan students under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program for the 2027 academic year.
According to the embassy, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan is offering scholarships for graduate-level study at Japanese universities under the research student category, including both regular and non-regular students.
Interested and eligible applicants can download the application guidelines and forms from the official Study in Japan website and are advised to carefully review all requirements before applying.
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and have prepared all required documents must submit their applications by 25 May 2026. The embassy said late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
The first screening process will include a written examination in Kabul on 18 June 2026, followed by interviews scheduled for July 2026 (date to be confirmed).
The Embassy of Japan noted that the Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan will assist in collecting applications and facilitating written examinations, but will not be involved in the selection process.
It further emphasized that the selection will be conducted independently by the embassy and the Japanese government, based on academic merit, quality of application documents, and performance in written and interview examinations, without consideration of religious, linguistic, or ethnic background.
The scholarship program is fully funded and free of charge. The embassy warned applicants to remain cautious against scams, stressing that no financial contributions are required at any stage of the application process.
Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, has launched the distribution of more than 1,000 residential land plots for returning migrants in Logar province.
During a visit to Logar, Hanafi inaugurated a new township and said the initiative aims to support Afghan returnees by providing them with housing opportunities and improving settlement conditions.
He called for speeding up the process of distributing residential plots designated for migrants, stressing the importance of timely implementation.
“We inaugurated this township today, which includes more than 1,000 plots. These plots will be distributed to migrants. In addition, other townships will also be constructed soon,” he said.
Hanafi also noted that over the past three years, more than five million Afghan migrants have returned from neighboring countries, adding that efforts are underway to provide them with essential services and support their reintegration.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, has urged the Afghan authorities to take concrete action against militant threats that Islamabad says originate from Afghan soil.
Speaking at an event at the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul marking the first anniversary of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos against India, Nizamani reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining “brotherly ties” with Afghanistan.
The ambassador also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in reducing tensions between Iran and the United States, saying Islamabad’s initiatives reflected its commitment to regional and global peace.
During the ceremony, Nizamani reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to defend itself against any aggression.
“Pakistan’s desire for peace must never be mistaken for weakness,” the ambassador said, calling for heightened vigilance against regional threats.
Pakistani officials have consistently claimed that militants use Afghan soil to attack Pakistan. The Islamic Emirate, however, has denied this claim and said that Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan’s security failures.
Japan announces MEXT scholarships for Afghan students for 2027 academic year
New township to provide over 1,000 land plots for returnees in Logar
Ariana Afghan Airlines lowers cargo rates on Kabul–Delhi route to boost exports
Pakistan ambassador urges Afghan authorities to act against militant threats
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Afghanistan’s new cricket head coach Richard Pybus arrives in Kabul
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Germany to launch online visa system for Afghan study and work applicants in Pakistan
Tahawol: Afghanistan and Uzbekistan’s growing economic ties discussed
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Tawsia: Discussion on Afghanistan’s economic path and position
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