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IEA rejects reports of $6 million UN offer to protect the organization’s facilities

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The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan's interior ministry has rejected reports that the United Nations has offered the ministry $6 million to protect the organization's facilities in Afghanistan.

The ministry on Thursday said that the published reports are not true.

The IEA Interior Ministry has stressed that no formal proposal has been made by the United Nations so far.

Reuters recently reported that the United Nations had offered to pay $6 million to the IEA's interior ministry to protect its facilities in Afghanistan.

Reuters reported that it had a document in this regard, and that informed sources had also approved the UN proposal to the IEA's Interior Ministry, led by Sirajuddin Haqqani.

According to Reuters, the proposed money will also go to paying the salaries of IEA forces guarding UN facilities.

The money will be transferred to the IEA Interior Ministry next year.

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General told Reuters that the organization's duty as an employer was to strengthen the capacity of the host countries.

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Japan, UNDP launch new community resilience programme in Afghanistan

Since 2021, UNDP’s efforts to develop alternative livelihoods in Afghanistan, in collaboration with multiple development partners and UN agencies, have benefitted over 100,000 farmers including around 22,000 women farmers nationwide.

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The Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have initiated a new one-year programme to support alternative livelihood pathways for rural communities facing critical challenges in Balkh and Uruzgan provinces.

Promoting Alternative Livelihood Pathways in Afghanistan (PALPA) focuses on strengthening opportunities, particularly for women and youth, with an aim to improve food security and build resilience to climate-induced shocks.

Since 2021, UNDP's efforts to develop alternative livelihoods in Afghanistan, in collaboration with multiple development partners and UN agencies, have benefitted over 100,000 farmers including around 22,000 women farmers nationwide. Building on this progress, the PALPA, supported by a generous $6 million contribution from the Government of Japan, aims to generate sustainable employment and income opportunities for 50,000 vulnerable individuals, particularly those affected by the poppy ban and climate-induced disasters.

The programme is based on a women-centred approach, enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting diversified livelihoods, strengthening market linkages, and improving water management systems for ecosystem restoration. This highlights the vital role of women in driving national economic growth while also actively engaging men, which is essential in the context of significant unemployment.

An inclusive and participatory approach will guide the implementation, ensuring that interventions reach the most vulnerable, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees. Beneficiaries will be selected based on comprehensive vulnerability criteria developed in consultation with local communities and relevant stakeholders. This method ensures that the interventions effectively address the pressing needs of those most affected by the ongoing challenges in Afghanistan, including economic instability, climate change, and the impacts of the poppy cultivation ban.

“Japan is a longstanding partner in UNDP’s global mission to end extreme poverty, reduce inequality, and catalyse structural transformations that build resilience against crises and shocks. This specific contribution will enable us to reinforce our collaborative efforts to meet the basic human needs of 50,000 vulnerable Afghan people, especially women and girls. It allows UNDP to leverage its local expertise to develop alternative livelihoods and achieve systemic progress. In addition, this programme will also develop vital community resilience in the face of escalating climate change impacts, which present a significant obstacle to sustained progress. We are profoundly grateful to the Government and People of Japan for their ongoing commitment.” said Stephen Rodriques, UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan.

“We are pleased to supplement Japan’s existing support to Afghanistan with an additional $27.5 million in assistance for the Afghan people, of which $6 million is provided to our trusted partner, UNDP. This allocation includes targeted support for programmes that empower women, reflecting our commitment to promoting gender equality as a fundamental aspect of equitable and resilient growth. Since August 2021, Japan’s cumulative contribution to Afghanistan has now surpassed $505 million, underscoring our commitment to addressing basic human needs and supporting Afghanistan's path towards sustainable economic and social development. I wish UNDP and our PALPA initiative every success in bringing about the systemic changes that are much required,” said KUROMIYA Takayoshi, ambassador of Japan to Afghanistan.

To maximize its impact, the PALPA is designed to complement and create synergies with other ongoing interventions in Afghanistan. By identifying gaps and aligning with existing efforts, the programme aims to provide a better-coordinated response to the immediate needs of rural communities. UNDP will collaborate closely with national and international networks, including the Counter Narcotics Working Group for Afghanistan, and leverage collective expertise.

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Trump criticizes abandoning of equipment in Afghanistan, vows to rebuild military

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US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday criticized Biden administration leaving behind military equipment in Afghanistan, and vowed that he will rebuild the military.

“I rebuilt our entire military at a level that it had never been. Unfortunately, we gave a big chunk of it to Afghanistan. You believe that one. What a terrible thing. We will again rebuild our sections of our military that have been so badly hurt,” Trump said at a conference of the conservative group Turning Point in Phoenix, Arizona.

He also mentioned the Kabul airport attack in 2021 in which 13 American soldiers were killed.

“We want to get out of some of these wars that would have never happened like Russia-Ukraine would have never happened, Israel would have never been attacked, we wouldn’t have inflation, we wouldn’t have that Afghanistan horror show, that horrible, the way we left leaving billions of dollars of equipment behind and 13 soldiers.”

“Nobody ever mentions and I mention because I love them and they are all watching right now. 48 soldiers that were horrifically injured," he added.

Last month, Trump pledged to demand mass resignations of top military officials behind the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal should he return to the White House in January.

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IOM appeals for nearly $500 million to support Afghans in 2025

Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, says that the displacement of Afghans in the world is painful and they want practical and real help for Afghan immigrants.

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The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has appealed for nearly $500 million to assist Afghans in 2025.

It is part of IOM’s $8.2 billion appeal to support 100 million individuals across the globe.

“IOM will empower actors to provide multisectoral assistance to crisis-affected and displaced populations, including people fleeing from Ukraine, Syrians in Türkiye and Afghans in Central Asia, and along migration routes, such as in the Western Balkans,” IOM said in its appeal. “IOM will ensure that vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, older persons and those with specific needs, have access or are referred to tailored protection services, including health, MHPSS (Mental health and psychosocial support), shelter, food and non-food items.”

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Afghan refugees are the third largest displaced population in the world after Syrian and Ukrainian refugees. Nearly 10.9 million Afghans are displaced worldwide due to conflict, violence and poverty.

Meanwhile, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, says that the displacement of Afghans in the world is painful and they want practical and real help for Afghan immigrants.

According to experts, the youth and people of Afghanistan want a situation where they are not forced to migrate. They believe suitable working conditions, improvement of the economic situation and inclusive governance can reduce migrations.

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