Afghanistan is facing another set back at the United Nations after its General Assembly voting rights were suspended due to unpaid fees.

Nasir Faiq, who has acted as Afghanistan’s representative at the UN says that failure to settle outstanding dues since the Islamic Emirate’s takeover in August 2021 led to the organization’s decision.

As a result, Afghanistan was unable to exercise its right to vote at the recent General Assembly vote concerning the recognition of the State of Palestine.

In the national and international expo of Industry Week, which opened in Kabul on Sunday, 200 booths are dedicated to women’s products.

The seven-day expo in Chaman Huzuri area has 800 booths in total.

Women have also put their products, handicrafts and paintings on display.

“This exhibition is very good,” said Mahnaz, a participant of the expo. “People encourage us a lot which makes us proud. But so far, we could not sell because the people’s economy has become very weak.”

Like Mahnaz, there are many women who play their role in the economic growth of individuals and the country, and through commercial activities, they want to convey the message that Afghan women have the capabilities in various sectors, especially business, although they do not seem satisfied enough with their sales.

“They (authorities) should provide us with the ground for growth; allow us to grow in different fields; Afghanistan has many talents in every field,” said Noreen, a participant of the expo.

The visitors also emphasize on supporting women in business and on the use of women’s products.

“This exhibition has a very positive effect on Afghan girls. They can showcase their products and promote their businesses,” said Zakira, a visitor.

Organizers say that women have showcased mostly handicrafts, hand-made dresses, food and non-food items.

According to the statistics of the Afghanistan International Expo Center, in the past year, nearly 10 joint expos of Afghan products with countries such as Qatar, Oman, Iran, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan were held in Kabul.

Qatar’s aid packages for the flood victims of Baghlan province arrived at Mazar-e-Sharif airport and were handed over to the officials of the Islamic Emirate.

The 22-ton aid includes tents, food, medicines and household items.

Qatari officials said at the airport that four more aid shipments will also be dispatched for flood victims.

Meanwhile, the officials of the Islamic Emirate expressed their gratitude for Qatar’s aid and said that they need more international aid considering the extent of casualties and damages.

Although international organizations are working help flood victims of Baghlan, this is the first aid package from a foreign country that has been sent for the victims of the disaster.

Search operation continues

With four days passed since the deadly and devastating floods, some residents of Borka district of Baghlan province have not been able to find the bodies of their loved ones.

Samiullah, one of the flood victims in Baghlan province, says: “We are busy pulling out the martyrs from under the rubble. We have been pulling out martyrs for almost three days. Some martyrs are still missing.”

Residents of Floul area of Borka district have painful stories about the floods and the loss of their loved ones and their homes.

Jamil, one of the victims, says: “The flooding struck suddenly. Here was a village. All its residents were killed.”

Sheikh Jalal area in Baghlan-i-Markazi district is another area where floods have caused the most greater human and material losses. In this area, about 50 bodies were buried in a cemetery.

“Various institutions of the Islamic Emirate have provided the basic necessities of life. Health teams have arrived. Food is provided for the displaced people,” said Alam Majidi, the spokesman of Baghlan governor.

Based on official figures, more than 300 people have died as a result of floods in Baghlan province and over 1,600 others have been injured.