A woman in Farah province has paved the alleyways of her village in Anar Dara district and installed a solar power system by selling 500 grams of gold and spending $30,000 of her own money. The woman, named Aho Bashiri, has been living in Herat province for the past 30 years. She has managed to pave the streets and alleyways of her native village with concrete and provide solar electricity for one thousand families. The people of "Zahakhan" village in Anar Dara district call her the "Generous Mother." They say she left her home in the village for Herat three decades ago. Residents say that after returning to her village, Aho Bashiri decided to use her half kilogram of gold and $30,000 in cash to fund the concrete paving and solar power system for the village's roads. Aho Bashiri stated: “After thirty years, I returned to my homeland and saw that it was very dusty. People, especially the children, were lost in the dust. I told my son, Ezzatullah, that I would sell my gold and help the people. I will spend my money on these roads so that people can be freed from the dust. I still have another kilogram of gold and plan to build a hall for the people.” Meanwhile, her son, Ezzatullah Bashiri, said that his mother also provided solar electricity for the village. He emphasized: “The alleys of the village were paved, and with the installation of more than a hundred solar panels, the streets and alleyways are now lit. The initiator of this charitable act is our mother. After her effort, some local businessmen also began contributing to similar projects in the village.” Aho Bashiri’s actions have brought joy to the village residents. The residents of Zahakhan village say that thanks to this woman’s help, they now have electricity and clean streets. They added: “Having electricity is a great improvement for us. The roads were in poor condition before, but now they’re much better. We can now go out wearing clean clothes.” Hayatullah Mohajer Farahi, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture, also praised Aho Bashiri’s initiative, saying that people should stand alongside the government and contribute to Afghanistan’s development. The villagers welcomed the construction of the road and called on charitable organizations and traders to pay attention to the district’s infrastructure, especially its main roads. Despite the inflow of millions of dollars into the country, many remote villages in Afghanistan still face serious challenges with transportation. Afghan citizens have repeatedly called on government officials to construct standard roads and bridges in rural areas and on highways.

The World Food Programme has expressed serious concern over the United States' decision to cut emergency food assistance to Afghanistan and 13 other countries. Today (Tuesday, April 8), the organization stated that it is currently in contact with the U.S. government and has shared its concerns with them. The World Food Programme expressed that if this U.S. decision is implemented, it would be a death sentence for millions of people facing severe hunger. The statement highlighted gratitude for the assistance received from the United States and other international donors and reaffirmed its commitment to providing vital food aid to vulnerable communities in hunger hotspots around the world. It is noteworthy that the Donald Trump administration recently cut most or all of the remaining humanitarian aid from the United States to Afghanistan. Sara Charles, former head of the Office of Humanitarian Assistance at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), along with other informed sources, emphasized to Reuters that these decisions will exacerbate the existing crises in Afghanistan. According to figures provided by a relief organization, the total amount of halted aid exceeds $1.3 billion. This budget includes $562 million for Afghanistan, $105 million for Yemen, $170 million for Somalia, $237 million for Syria, and $12 million for Gaza. According to a report by the United Nations, nearly 23 million people in Afghanistan are in need of assistance, more than half of whom are children. The World Food Programme stated that last year it provided emergency food and cash assistance to nearly 12 million people in Afghanistan, prioritizing aid for women and girls facing "severe hunger."

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has once again warned that children in Afghanistan are facing a serious threat of malnutrition. Today (Monday, April 6), the organization published a video on its X (formerly Twitter) account, stating that in the current year, 3.5 million children in Afghanistan are expected to suffer from malnutrition. WFP emphasized that every ten seconds, a child in Afghanistan becomes malnourished, and the reduction in financial aid has deprived millions of people of access to food. The organization previously stated: “People are in an extremely difficult situation. We are seeing more women and children coming to clinics. Many of these mothers are very young.” It further stated that the World Food Programme is often the last lifeline for women struggling to provide basic, nutritious food for their children. However, crippling restrictions continue to push them to the margins of Afghan society, forcing them to make impossible choices to feed their children. It is worth noting that malnutrition is a serious crisis in Afghanistan, particularly among children. Issues such as poverty, lack of access to adequate healthcare and nutrition services hinder the provision of essential treatment and the prevention of this condition. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has predicted that the number of children suffering from malnutrition in Afghanistan will reach 3.5 million by 2025. According to UN reports, this figure has been around 3 million children under the age of five over the past five years. OCHA also states that in 2025, 22.9 million people in Afghanistan will be in need of humanitarian assistance. The organization requires a budget of $2.24 billion to provide aid. In 2024, OCHA had requested a budget of $3.06 billion to assist the people of Afghanistan; however, according to the latest UN reports, only about 40% of this budget has been secured.

The South Asia office of Amnesty International has launched a new campaign calling for the cancellation of the deportation program for Afghan migrants from Pakistan. In a statement, the office said that the aim of this campaign is to raise the voices of Afghan citizens who are at risk of illegal deportation from Pakistan. The statement quotes Babu Ram Pant, the regional deputy for South Asia at Amnesty International, as saying: "Afghan citizens, including refugees and asylum seekers, have been living in fear and anxiety since the announcement of the phased deportation plan by Pakistani authorities in October 2023. Many of these Afghans have been residing in Pakistan for over four decades." He further added: "The government of Pakistan is now seriously threatening their lives by insisting on policies that contradict its human rights commitments—especially the principle of non-refoulement." These statements come as the forced deportation process began three days ago in Peshawar. Additionally, Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, labeled the federal government's policy towards Afghan migrants as misguided during a press conference last Thursday. It is noteworthy that following the current regime's takeover in Afghanistan, a large number of civil activists, human rights defenders, women's rights advocates, journalists, LGBTQ+ individuals, former military personnel, and Afghans who collaborated with foreign forces in Afghanistan have fled to Pakistan and Iran due to fears of retaliation or to seek asylum in European and American countries. Some of them are still awaiting the processing of their asylum requests. Over the past three and a half years, Iran and Pakistan have forcibly deported thousands of migrants and imposed strict policies against them in these countries. Meanwhile, Iran and Pakistan have prohibited the employment of Afghan workers in several provinces and have intensified the process of forcibly deporting asylum seekers. During this time, extensive campaigns against Afghan migrants have been launched on social media by Iranian and Pakistani users.

Mohammad Hashim Salehi Modarres, the chairman of the Shia Scholars Council of Afghanistan, during the Eid al-Fitr prayer ceremony in western Kabul, called on the caretaker government to recognize the Shia sect and the personal status law for Shia Muslims. Mr. Modarres made these remarks on Monday, March 31, during the Eid al-Fitr prayer ceremony, and also called for respect for Shia religious ceremonies and for balance in developmental projects in Afghanistan. In part of his speech, he reiterated the demand for the current government to officially recognize the Shia sect, emphasizing three times that the recognition of the Shia sect is a primary demand of the Shia community in Afghanistan. It should be noted that the current government, after regaining power, has revoked the official status of the Shia sect and abolished the personal status law for Shia Muslims. Government officials have repeatedly stated that Sunni Islam is the official religion in Afghanistan and that courts and civil laws operate based on this religion. Additionally, the current government has collected books related to this sect from some universities and public libraries in central areas and provinces. The Shia sect was recognized in Afghanistan's constitution, and the personal status law for Shia Muslims was approved and endorsed by the previous Afghan parliament. Respect for Religious Freedom The chairman of the Shia Scholars Council of Afghanistan urged the current government to allow Shia Muslims to freely conduct their religious affairs, especially the mourning ceremonies of Ashura. He further emphasized: "We should not face obstacles in our religious ceremonies and rituals; whether during Ashura or in the holy month of Ramadan. No one has the right to prohibit the mourning ceremonies and gatherings of Shia Muslims." Balanced Development Mr. Salehi Modarres also called for attention to "balanced development" in Afghanistan and for considering the development and reconstruction of Hazara-inhabited areas. The chairman of the Shia Scholars Council of Afghanistan also stressed the importance of ensuring security for Shia Muslims. He stated that although relative security has been established in the country, two terrorist incidents occurred last year in Herat and Ghor. It should be noted that in Ghor province, armed individuals opened fire on 14 unarmed Hazara Shia civilians. This incident sparked widespread reactions both domestically and internationally. Additionally, in Herat province, several Shia scholars were killed in attacks by unidentified armed individuals. This comes at a time when over the past three and a half years, the Shia Scholars Council of Afghanistan has repeatedly raised similar demands.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that without immediate funding, programs aimed at preventing child malnutrition in Afghanistan, Yemen, and Syria may come to a halt within a few months. In a statement, the organization indicated that it requires $1.4 billion in funding to implement its programs in 56 countries in 2025. The announcement cautioned that budget shortfalls could disrupt global efforts to combat child malnutrition in these three countries. The statement quoted Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, saying: "If we do not act, we will condemn millions of children to a lifetime of suffering." The World Food Programme has faced severe financial difficulties, particularly following the suspension of aid from the United States. Last year, the U.S. provided $4.5 billion of the organization's $9.8 billion budget. The WFP provides food and cash assistance to individuals facing hunger due to agricultural shortages, conflicts, and climate change. Additionally, the organization stated that it needs $1.4 billion to treat malnutrition for 30 million mothers and children in 56 countries in 2025 and warned that this issue is on the rise globally due to wars. The Executive Director of the World Food Programme added that the organization's programs in Afghanistan may cease by May of this year. The organization also mentioned that it would reduce its programs in some other countries. It is noteworthy that malnutrition is a serious crisis in Afghanistan, particularly among children, with issues such as poverty and lack of access to proper healthcare and nutrition services hindering essential treatments and prevention efforts. OCHA, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, predicts that the number of malnourished children in Afghanistan will reach 3.5 million by 2025. According to United Nations reports, this figure has been around 3 million children under five over the past five years. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs states that by 2025, 22.9 million people in Afghanistan will require humanitarian assistance. This organization needs $2.24 billion in funding for its relief efforts. In 2024, OCHA requested $3.06 billion for humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan; however, according to the latest reports from the United Nations, only about 40% of this budget has been secured.

The Coalition of Sports and Rights has urged the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to facilitate the return of the Afghan women's football team to international competitions in order to stop the ongoing discrimination against its members who are in exile. In a report, the coalition stated that the draw for the preliminary round of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup will take place in two days, but the Afghan women's national football team will be absent from this draw. The report noted that these competitions are a pathway to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. It further mentioned that this is the second consecutive World Cup qualifying cycle since 2021 from which the Afghan women's team has been excluded. It should be noted that according to FIFA's current regulations, the Afghan women's national football team must be approved by the Afghanistan Football Federation, which is under the control of the caretaker government, in order to participate in international competitions. Since regaining power, the caretaker government has banned women's sports and does not recognize women's sports teams in the country. The Afghan women's national football team and its supporters have repeatedly asked FIFA over the past three years to recognize them and provide financial support for their participation in international competitions. However, in response to the Coalition of Sports and Rights' letter, FIFA stated that it has developed programs to support Afghan female footballers both inside and outside the country but did not clarify whether it recognizes the Afghan women's national football team or not. According to Andrea Florence, Executive Director of the Coalition of Sports and Rights, "The ability of Afghan female footballers to play at an international level entirely depends on FIFA's intervention. FIFA's response to our report outlined their strategy for supporting women in Afghanistan. It is encouraging to hear that FIFA is working to create playing opportunities for these players, but we still hope they decide to recognize the team and provide them with financial support, just like other member associations." Additionally, Farishta Abbasi, Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch, stated: "For these athletes, football is not just a passion; it is a fundamental act of resistance against the Taliban—a gesture of solidarity with their sisters who still live in Afghanistan. FIFA's recognition and support for this team would send a powerful message that the rights of Afghan women cannot be erased." Meanwhile, members of the Afghan women's national football team left the country after the current government's takeover and are now living in various countries around the world, including Australia, Portugal, Albania, the United Kingdom, and the United States.