The World Bank has approved aid worth $200 million for Afghanistan as it battles to contain the novel coronavirus and seeing a rise in militant attacks in recent times.&nbsp;

"The program will provide vital fiscal resources to manage the impacts of the pandemic in the context of rapidly slowing economic growth and declining government revenues," Henry Kerali, the World Bank chief for Afghanistan, in a statement, said on Thursday, reported AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-doesnt-know-if-russia-directed-taliban-attacks-in-afghanistan-pentagon-312265">US doesn't know if Russia directed Taliban attacks in Afghanistan: Pentagon</a>

The war-torn country has been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, due to which many people lost their jobs.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-to-release-prisoners-from-taliban-list-in-push-for-talks-311920">Afghanistan to release prisoners from Taliban list in push for talks</a>

The militant violence has also been on a rise in recent months in Afghanistan, which has diverted resources that could be used to prevent the virus that has killed nearly 1,000 and infected 34,000 others.&nbsp;

"In the cities, the cases are steady but we are worried the cases may spread in rural areas," Abdul Qadir, a senior official at the health ministry on Friday said.&nbsp;

He said the World Bank funds would help&nbsp;the country mitigate the damage to social, business, and healthcare sectors.&nbsp;

Afghanistan saw its first COVID-19 infections after migrants returned from neighbouring Iran, the worst-hit Middle East country.&nbsp;

The World Bank has approved aid worth $200 million for Afghanistan as it battles to contain the novel coronavirus and seeing a rise in militant attacks in recent times.

The World Bank has approved aid worth $200 million for Afghanistan as it battles to contain the novel coronavirus and seeing a rise in militant attacks in recent times. "The program will provide vital fiscal resources to manage the impacts of the pandemic in the context of rapidly slowing economic growth and declining government revenues," Henry Kerali, the World Bank chief for Afghanistan, in a statement, said on Thursday, reported AFP. Also read | US doesn't know if Russia directed Taliban attacks in Afghanistan: Pentagon The war-torn country has been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, due to which many people lost their jobs. Also read | Afghanistan to release prisoners from Taliban list in push for talks The militant violence has also been on a rise in recent months in Afghanistan, which has diverted resources that could be used to prevent the virus that has killed nearly 1,000 and infected 34,000 others. "In the cities, the cases are steady but we are worried the cases may spread in rural areas," Abdul Qadir, a senior official at the health ministry on Friday said. He said the World Bank funds would help the country mitigate the damage to social, business, and healthcare sectors. Afghanistan saw its first COVID-19 infections after migrants returned from neighbouring Iran, the worst-hit Middle East country.

World Bank approves $200 million aid for coronavirus-hit Afghanistan

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani warned Monday that Taliban violence is threatening the country's peace process, as he briefed the international community on Kabul's preparations for peace talks with the militant group.

Afghan authorities and the Taliban are preparing to engage in negotiations aimed at ending the nearly two-decade-old war in the impoverished country.

But violence, which had briefly reduced after a surprise ceasefire offer by the Taliban in May, has again spiked with officials blaming the insurgents for killing hundreds of security personnel and civilians in recent weeks.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-will-cooperate-to-bring-back-peace-in-afghanistan-khalilzad-310750">Taliban will cooperate to bring back peace in Afghanistan: Khalilzad</a>

Ghani on Monday hosted the first of three online conferences aimed at briefing the global community on the expected peace talks.

"If the Taliban continue fighting, the Afghan peace process will face serious challenges," he told online attendees from several nations.

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"Unfortunately, the current level of violence is higher compared to last year," Ghani said, according to a statement issued by his office. He is hosting two other video conferences later this week.

The United States and Russia along with some international organisations such as the United Nations are joining the video conferences, officials said.

Other countries participating include Pakistan, India, Iran, China, Egypt and Qatar.

Earlier Monday, just hours ahead of the first online meeting, Ghani's spokesman also slammed the Taliban for an uptick in violence.

"There is no obstacle on our side for the peace process, but we see that the Taliban are not serious," Sediq Sediqqi told reporters.

"The government of&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;released a large number of Taliban in order to reduce violence in the country, but the violence has not decreased."

Afghan authorities have released more than 4,000 Taliban prisoners out of 5,000 demanded by the insurgents in a deal with Washington signed in February.

&nbsp;

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani warned Monday that Taliban violence is threatening the country's peace process, as he briefed the international community on Kabul's preparations for peace talks with the militant group.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani warned Monday that Taliban violence is threatening the country's peace process, as he briefed the international community on Kabul's preparations for peace talks with the militant group. Afghan authorities and the Taliban are preparing to engage in negotiations aimed at ending the nearly two-decade-old war in the impoverished country. But violence, which had briefly reduced after a surprise ceasefire offer by the Taliban in May, has again spiked with officials blaming the insurgents for killing hundreds of security personnel and civilians in recent weeks. Also read| Taliban will cooperate to bring back peace in Afghanistan: Khalilzad Ghani on Monday hosted the first of three online conferences aimed at briefing the global community on the expected peace talks. "If the Taliban continue fighting, the Afghan peace process will face serious challenges," he told online attendees from several nations. Also read: Shallow 4.6-magnitude earthquake strikes Kabul "Unfortunately, the current level of violence is higher compared to last year," Ghani said, according to a statement issued by his office. He is hosting two other video conferences later this week. The United States and Russia along with some international organisations such as the United Nations are joining the video conferences, officials said. Other countries participating include Pakistan, India, Iran, China, Egypt and Qatar. Earlier Monday, just hours ahead of the first online meeting, Ghani's spokesman also slammed the Taliban for an uptick in violence. "There is no obstacle on our side for the peace process, but we see that the Taliban are not serious," Sediq Sediqqi told reporters. "The government of Afghanistan released a large number of Taliban in order to reduce violence in the country, but the violence has not decreased." Afghan authorities have released more than 4,000 Taliban prisoners out of 5,000 demanded by the insurgents in a deal with Washington signed in February.

Taliban violence pose 'serious challenges' to Afghan peace process: Ghani

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah have signed a power-sharing deal, signalling the end of a months-long stalemate that plunged the country into a political crisis.

Ghani and Abdullah sign power-sharing deal

A shootout erupted on Saturday at a protest in western Afghanistan by residents demanding economic assistance, leading to the deaths of at least four people, including a local reporter and two police officer.

Gunfire kills at least 4 civilians,  2 police officials in Afghanistan

The Afghan economy does not get much attention in global economic reports, mainly because it is smaller in size and less integrated with the world economy.

WION Dispatch: Afghanistan's dry fruit market unaffected by pandemic

Afghanistan on Tuesday launched its maiden N-95 facial mask manufacturing factory as the country's fragile health system struggles in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

How Afghanistan is coping up with COVID-19?

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has signed a decree to release 1,500 Taliban prisoners in order to begin intra-Afghan peace talks with the militant group that could see the end of the nearly two-decade war in the Middle Eastern country.

WION Dispatch: Ashraf Ghani agrees to release 5000 prisoners not 1500

Ashraf Ghani agrees to Taliban prisoners release

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday publicly contradicted the U.S. on a landmark deal between United States and Taliban forces, repudiating a provision that would release 5,000 Taliban prisoners.

Afghan president rejects Taliban's demand for prisoner release

Hours after the announcement of the final results of the presidential election by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Tuesday, Abdullah Abdullah, the country's chief executive officer (CEO), announced the formation of an "inclusive government" by his Stability and Convergence campaign team, declaring his "victory" in the polls.

Hours after the announcement of the final results of the presidential election by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Tuesday, Abdullah Abdullah, the country's chief executive officer (CEO), announced the formation of an "inclusive government" by his Stability and Convergence campaign team, declaring his "victory" in the polls. The final results of the election, according to the IEC, showed that incumbent President Ashraf Ghani had received the highest count of votes, equivalent to 50.6 per cent of the total votes polled, while Abdullah had secured 39.52 per cent of total votes, TOLOnews reported. With the commission announcing Ghani as the winner of the elections during a press conference, Abdullah was quoted as saying that the decisions on disputed votes were "illegal," adding that today's results were a coup against democracy and he does not accept them. "It was national treason," Abdullah said. Also Read: Eight civilians killed in Afghanistan air strike: Officials He said, "The Stability and Convergence team is the 'winner of the election' based on 'clean votes' and we announce our 'victory,'" adding, "We announce the formation of an inclusive government." There was a slight change in Tuesday's announcement from IEC's announcement of the preliminary elections on December 22 last year. Based on the IEC's decision, a partial audit and partial recount were conducted of the 300,000 disputed votes, and 262 votes were added to Ghani's total, while 742 votes were added to Abdullah's, and 453 votes were invalidated, according to the commission. Based on the preliminary results that were announced late last December, incumbent President Ashraf Ghani was narrowly declared the winner while Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah got 39 per cent of a total of over 1.8 million votes. Watch: Pakistan Taliban leader killed in Afghanistan Originally scheduled to be announced on October 19, the results of the presidential elections, which were held in September last year, were repeatedly delayed, with IEC officials citing technical issues, allegations of fraud and protests from candidates. Both Abdullah and Ghani shared power over the past five years in a so-called unity government formed by the United States in the wake of allegations of widespread fraud and corruption in the 2014 polls. In September's election, which was held amid Taliban threats to disrupt the process, nearly one million of the initial 2.7 million votes were purged owing to irregularities. Ultimately, only 1.8 million votes were counted - a tiny number, given Afghanistan's estimated population of 35 million and its total of 9.6 million registered voters. The final results came as the US and the Taliban, which has been fighting the US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan since the Taliban was toppled from power in 2001, appear to be close to embarking on a seven-day "reduction in violence" as a prelude to a peace deal to end the US's longest war. The deal also proposes talks between the government in Kabul and the Taliban. The armed group has so far refused to speak to the Western-backed government of Ghani, calling it a "puppet regime".

Afghan CEO rejects presidential polls' results, announces formation of 'inclusive government'

Gunmen shot dead nine homeless drug users in the Afghan capital, officials said on Sunday, shining a light on chronic drug abuse in the world's biggest producer of opium but a rare incident of apparently coordinated violence against addicts.

The motive for the Saturday night attack by the unidentified gunmen in Kabul was not known and police said they were investigating. The men had been sleeping in an open area and a forensic examination had shown they were drug users.

"The shooting took place at the side of the Qrough mountain," a spokesman for Kabul police, Ferdaus Faramarz, told Reuters.

There are an estimated 2.5 million drug users in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Public Health says, with most thought to addicted to heroin made from opium poppies grown in Afghanistan.

Some 20,000 drug users are homeless, with half that number in Kabul, at times straining relations with residents of some communities.

"It's a social crisis," said Dr Shokoor Haidari, deputy of the ministry's counter drugs department.

The ministry can only treat 40,000 people a year but far more seek help, said Haidari.

Lack of social services, unemployment and easy access to drugs have fueled drug abuse in Afghanistan, Haidari said.

Harsh winter weather killed at least 50 homeless drug users in the past two months, the Ministry of Public Health said.

Afghanistan has been the world's biggest producer of opium for years despite some $8.9 billion spent since 2002 by the U.S. government to stop production and trafficking in narcotics.

With compelling economic incentives and politically protected networks - from cultivators to producers and distributors - deeply entrenched, officials say there is little they can do to stop it.

The Interior Ministry this month announced the arrest of five top police officials, including the head of Kabul's counter-narcotics force, for suspected involvement in drug trafficking.

Gunmen shot dead nine homeless drug users in the Afghan capital, officials said on Sunday, shining a light on chronic drug abuse in the world's biggest producer of opium but a rare incident of apparently coordinated violence against addicts.

Gunmen shot dead nine homeless drug users in the Afghan capital, officials said on Sunday, shining a light on chronic drug abuse in the world's biggest producer of opium but a rare incident of apparently coordinated violence against addicts. The motive for the Saturday night attack by the unidentified gunmen in Kabul was not known and police said they were investigating. The men had been sleeping in an open area and a forensic examination had shown they were drug users. "The shooting took place at the side of the Qrough mountain," a spokesman for Kabul police, Ferdaus Faramarz, told Reuters. There are an estimated 2.5 million drug users in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Public Health says, with most thought to addicted to heroin made from opium poppies grown in Afghanistan. Some 20,000 drug users are homeless, with half that number in Kabul, at times straining relations with residents of some communities. "It's a social crisis," said Dr Shokoor Haidari, deputy of the ministry's counter drugs department. The ministry can only treat 40,000 people a year but far more seek help, said Haidari. Lack of social services, unemployment and easy access to drugs have fueled drug abuse in Afghanistan, Haidari said. Harsh winter weather killed at least 50 homeless drug users in the past two months, the Ministry of Public Health said. Afghanistan has been the world's biggest producer of opium for years despite some $8.9 billion spent since 2002 by the U.S. government to stop production and trafficking in narcotics. With compelling economic incentives and politically protected networks - from cultivators to producers and distributors - deeply entrenched, officials say there is little they can do to stop it. The Interior Ministry this month announced the arrest of five top police officials, including the head of Kabul's counter-narcotics force, for suspected involvement in drug trafficking.

Nine homeless drug users shot dead in Afghan capital: Police

Violent attacks in Afghanistan's war jumped to record levels in the last quarter of 2019, a US government watchdog said Friday, underscoring the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-plane-crashes-in-afghanistan-top-us-intel-officers-dead-277184">conflict's continued toll</a> despite relative calm in Kabul. The nation's capital and other urban areas have enjoyed a rare stretch of more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-recovers-two-bodies-from-bombardier-aircraft-crash-site-in-afghanistan-277343">two </a>months without the sorts of large-scale bomb attack that frequently rock the city and cause mass causalities.

Despite the lull, which has come as the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/despite-defeats-the-islamic-state-remains-unbroken-and-defiant-around-the-world-277491"> US and the Taliban continue talks</a> over a possible deal for American forces to leave Afghanistan, fighting in rural provinces has continued unabated, with reports of skirmishes appearing daily. According to the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), "enemy-initiated attacks" rose sharply last year, with the fourth quarter seeing a total of 8,204 attacks -- up from 6,974 in the same period in 2018.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-bombing-of-afghanistan-hits-10-year-high-us-air-force-277324">United States bombing of Afghanistan hits 10-year high: US Air Force</a>

September, when the first round of presidential voting was held, saw the highest number of casualty-causing attacks since recording began in 2010. SIGAR noted that attacks appeared to mirror progress in US-Taliban talks, with incidents dropping earlier in the year, then picking up again after US President Donald Trump temporarily halted negotiations in September.

"A turbulent last six months resulted in increases in overall enemy attacks (6 per cent) and effective attacks (4 per cent) in 2019 compared to the already high levels reported in 2018," SIGAR said in its quarterly report to the US Congress. The Pentagon has also continued to up the tempo of operations, with American warplanes dropping more bombs on Afghanistan in 2019 than at any other time in at least a decade, according to the US Air Force.

Washington and the Taliban are continuing to wrangle over a possible agreement that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees.&nbsp; The US has for months been calling on the militants to reduce violence, but both sides have said little in recent days about the status of talks and the Kabul government wants the US to push for a full ceasefire.

SIGAR's report also found that Afghanistan's security forces struggled to take the fight to the Taliban, relying on US support for more than half their ground operations. SIGAR also highlighted a slight increase in the number of casualties among Afghan military members, who have sustained massive losses over the past five years.

Violent attacks in Afghanistan's war jumped to record levels in the last quarter of 2019, a US government watchdog said Friday, underscoring the conflict's continued toll despite relative calm in Kabul.

Violent attacks in Afghanistan's war jumped to record levels in the last quarter of 2019, a US government watchdog said Friday, underscoring the conflict's continued toll despite relative calm in Kabul. The nation's capital and other urban areas have enjoyed a rare stretch of more than two months without the sorts of large-scale bomb attack that frequently rock the city and cause mass causalities. Despite the lull, which has come as the US and the Taliban continue talks over a possible deal for American forces to leave Afghanistan, fighting in rural provinces has continued unabated, with reports of skirmishes appearing daily. According to the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), "enemy-initiated attacks" rose sharply last year, with the fourth quarter seeing a total of 8,204 attacks -- up from 6,974 in the same period in 2018. Also Read: United States bombing of Afghanistan hits 10-year high: US Air Force September, when the first round of presidential voting was held, saw the highest number of casualty-causing attacks since recording began in 2010. SIGAR noted that attacks appeared to mirror progress in US-Taliban talks, with incidents dropping earlier in the year, then picking up again after US President Donald Trump temporarily halted negotiations in September. "A turbulent last six months resulted in increases in overall enemy attacks (6 per cent) and effective attacks (4 per cent) in 2019 compared to the already high levels reported in 2018," SIGAR said in its quarterly report to the US Congress. The Pentagon has also continued to up the tempo of operations, with American warplanes dropping more bombs on Afghanistan in 2019 than at any other time in at least a decade, according to the US Air Force. Washington and the Taliban are continuing to wrangle over a possible agreement that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees. The US has for months been calling on the militants to reduce violence, but both sides have said little in recent days about the status of talks and the Kabul government wants the US to push for a full ceasefire. SIGAR's report also found that Afghanistan's security forces struggled to take the fight to the Taliban, relying on US support for more than half their ground operations. SIGAR also highlighted a slight increase in the number of casualties among Afghan military members, who have sustained massive losses over the past five years.

Amid US-Taliban peace talks, violence in Afghanistan rises: Watchdog

Now, Iran media claims CIA chief behind Soleimani’s assassination killed in Afghanistan plane crash

Hours after a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/plane-crashes-in-afghanistans-ghazni-province-276876">plane crashed in Afghanistan's Ghazni province</a>, Taliban claimed responsibility of the incident and confirmed that it was a US military aircraft, spokesperson of the insurgents' group said on Monday.&nbsp;

In the official statement, the spokesperson also announced that all the crew members on board have been killed in the crash.

"The plane, which was on an intelligence mission, was brought down in Ghazni province," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a Pashto-language statement.

So far, there is no confirmed report that how many people were on board the plane which came down at around 1:10 pm in Deh Yak district of Ghazni.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/two-us-soldiers-killed-in-afghanistan-bomb-attack-says-nato-mission-273657">Also read: Two US soldiers killed in Afghanistan bomb attack, says NATO mission</a>

Authorities have launched an investigation into the matter.

"We are heading towards the site of the plane which crashed due to technical issues. Afghan police, army and commandos are tasked to go to the area and assess the situation," Afghan Army commanded Turialal Hadi said.

Soon after the reports of the crash, there were also multiple media reports which claimed that the plane belonged to Ariana Afghan Airlines; however, the company denied the reports on social media.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/two-us-soldiers-killed-in-afghanistan-bomb-attack-says-nato-mission-273657">Also read: Blast hits US army vehicle in Dand, Taliban claims responsibility</a>

"All the flights of Ariana Afghan Airlines have been completed normally," a statement on the carrier's verified Facebook page read.&nbsp;

On January 9, two military personnel were killed in a helicopter crash in Porchaman District of Farah province.

Crashes involving military flights, particularly helicopters, are common in Afghanistan where inclement weather and creaky aircraft are often pressed to their limits in the war-torn country -- and where insurgents have been known to target helicopters.&nbsp;

The last civilian flight to crash was in May 2010, when an ageing Pamir Airways plane went down in bad weather during a scheduled flight to Kabul from the northern province of Kunduz.

It was carrying six crew and 38 passengers when it crashed into a mountainside 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Kabul.

Hours after a plane crashed in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, Taliban claimed responsibility of the incident and confirmed that it was a US military aircraft, spokesperson of the insurgents' group said on Monday.

Hours after a plane crashed in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, Taliban claimed responsibility of the incident and confirmed that it was a US military aircraft, spokesperson of the insurgents' group said on Monday. In the official statement, the spokesperson also announced that all the crew members on board have been killed in the crash. "The plane, which was on an intelligence mission, was brought down in Ghazni province," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a Pashto-language statement. So far, there is no confirmed report that how many people were on board the plane which came down at around 1:10 pm in Deh Yak district of Ghazni. Also read: Two US soldiers killed in Afghanistan bomb attack, says NATO mission Authorities have launched an investigation into the matter. "We are heading towards the site of the plane which crashed due to technical issues. Afghan police, army and commandos are tasked to go to the area and assess the situation," Afghan Army commanded Turialal Hadi said. Soon after the reports of the crash, there were also multiple media reports which claimed that the plane belonged to Ariana Afghan Airlines; however, the company denied the reports on social media. Also read: Blast hits US army vehicle in Dand, Taliban claims responsibility "All the flights of Ariana Afghan Airlines have been completed normally," a statement on the carrier's verified Facebook page read. On January 9, two military personnel were killed in a helicopter crash in Porchaman District of Farah province. Crashes involving military flights, particularly helicopters, are common in Afghanistan where inclement weather and creaky aircraft are often pressed to their limits in the war-torn country -- and where insurgents have been known to target helicopters. The last civilian flight to crash was in May 2010, when an ageing Pamir Airways plane went down in bad weather during a scheduled flight to Kabul from the northern province of Kunduz. It was carrying six crew and 38 passengers when it crashed into a mountainside 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Kabul.

US military plane brought down in Ghazni province, claims Taliban

A severe cold snap killed at least 17 people in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/india-is-losing-the-iran-plot-273676">Afghanistan</a> on Saturday, government officials said, as heavy snowfall and rain continued to lash parts of the country.

Afghanistan is no stranger to extreme winter weather, during which various warring groups in the country have historically ceased hostilities, but this year has been particularly harsh, according to the country's meteorological department.

The officials said the death toll could rise further, with Afghanistan's Natural Disaster Management Authority still trying to compile a total figure.

"We were not expecting such a bad cold wave in the country," Tamim Azimi, a spokesman for the Natural Disaster Management team told reporters.

"We have received reports that heavy snowfall has caused casualties, but at the moment we don't have information on the exact number," he said.

Saturday's deaths bring the number of casualties from this year's cold snap to at least 24, as temperatures in parts of the country dropped to minus 12 degrees Celsius.

Heavy snowfall has closed many key roads since the New Year, including the Salang Tunnel connecting central Afghanistan with the north of the country, and the Kabul-Kandahar highway.

Afghanistan's western province of Herat has also been hit badly. On Saturday, heavy snow caused the roofs of two houses to collapse, killing at least eight people, including women and children, a spokesman for the province's governor said.

Other parts of the country have experienced heavy rainfall.

"We're now expecting more cold waves in the coming weeks," said Mohammad Nasim Muradi, the head of the forecasting wing of the meteorological department.

The United Nations had previously estimated that at least nine million Afghans are in need of humanitarian aid, including basic food and housing amid a drawn out war that has so far displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

A severe cold snap killed at least 17 people in Afghanistan on Saturday, government officials said, as heavy snowfall and rain continued to lash parts of the country.

A severe cold snap killed at least 17 people in Afghanistan on Saturday, government officials said, as heavy snowfall and rain continued to lash parts of the country. Afghanistan is no stranger to extreme winter weather, during which various warring groups in the country have historically ceased hostilities, but this year has been particularly harsh, according to the country's meteorological department. The officials said the death toll could rise further, with Afghanistan's Natural Disaster Management Authority still trying to compile a total figure. "We were not expecting such a bad cold wave in the country," Tamim Azimi, a spokesman for the Natural Disaster Management team told reporters. "We have received reports that heavy snowfall has caused casualties, but at the moment we don't have information on the exact number," he said. Saturday's deaths bring the number of casualties from this year's cold snap to at least 24, as temperatures in parts of the country dropped to minus 12 degrees Celsius. Heavy snowfall has closed many key roads since the New Year, including the Salang Tunnel connecting central Afghanistan with the north of the country, and the Kabul-Kandahar highway. Afghanistan's western province of Herat has also been hit badly. On Saturday, heavy snow caused the roofs of two houses to collapse, killing at least eight people, including women and children, a spokesman for the province's governor said. Other parts of the country have experienced heavy rainfall. "We're now expecting more cold waves in the coming weeks," said Mohammad Nasim Muradi, the head of the forecasting wing of the meteorological department. The United Nations had previously estimated that at least nine million Afghans are in need of humanitarian aid, including basic food and housing amid a drawn out war that has so far displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

Afghanistan: At least 17 killed due to extreme rain and snow

Highlighting Afghan&nbsp;govt's role in the advancement of women's right, Naheed Esar, 30-year-old deputy foreign minister of Afghanistan said women in Afghanistan are now in leading roles. Speaking to WION's diplomatic correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, the deputy foreign minister FM of Afghanistan lauded New Delhi's role in the country. She was forced to flee her country under Taliban rule, but after coming back she played an important role in reaching out to women especially women who suffered during Taliban rule and decades of strife. Esar is fluent in Pashto, Dari, English, and Hindi.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-welcomes-preliminary-results-of-afghanistan-presidential-election-269718">India welcomes preliminary results of Afghanistan presidential election</a>

WION: How do you see India and Afghanistan relation? 
Naheed Esar: The relationship between India and Afghanistan goes back to thousands of years. We share culture, we share values, we share the same morals and its a heart to heart connection between Indians and Afghans

WION: On India Afghan ties, the role you would like to see of New Delhi in future? 
Naheed Esar: India has supported Afghanistan in various areas. India has committed to about $3 billion to Afghanistan and more importantly they focused on fundamental projects, fundamental areas--education, medical area, hospitals. Because we are shifting from aid-dependent country to self-reliant country, and that was one of the reasons we started out consulate general in Hyderabad to invest more in trade, economy. In 2017, we started the air corridor, 22 items were exported.

WION: You are a young minister in the Afghan govt, how are you&nbsp;changing Afghanistan? 
Naheed Esar: Afghanistan is probably the youngest country in the world with 65% of people constituting the young generation. Especially in the past 5 years, we have a young generation in the leading position. Before that, you could not see Afghan women and young Afghan women representing their generation at the foreign ministry. I am very much grateful to the govt for believing in young generation and believing in women.&nbsp;

WION: How has the role of women increased in the last 2 decades? 
Naheed Esar: The biggest difference I see in women's role in the govt is there is a shift in rather a symbolic role to technocrat or proper leading position. we have women as deputy ministers in the ministry of defence, ministry of interior. we have women leading the most revenue-generating ministries. We have 25 per cent&nbsp;of women parliamentarians. We have 30 per cent of women staff in the government. Having given those example, I see a very bright role for Afghan women from leading position to grassroots young afghans going to universities, schools, more so than ever.

WION: How will you compare the increase in women participation from Taliban years? 
Naheed Esar: In the past 18-19 years after the fall of the Taliban, we shifted from zero per cent women in the education system--in schools and universities to about 30 per cent&nbsp;women now. This&nbsp;is the biggest achievement. We have laws, Article 22 of the Afghan constitution talks about the equality of men and women. We have laws against harassments and parallel to that we have institutions implementing those laws. We have women in leading positions, and that is the biggest achievement in the past 2 decades.

Highlighting Afghan govt's role in the advancement of women's right, Naheed Esar, 30-year-old deputy foreign minister of Afghanistan said women in Afghanistan are now in leading roles.

Highlighting Afghan govt's role in the advancement of women's right, Naheed Esar, 30-year-old deputy foreign minister of Afghanistan said women in Afghanistan are now in leading roles. Speaking to WION's diplomatic correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, the deputy foreign minister FM of Afghanistan lauded New Delhi's role in the country. She was forced to flee her country under Taliban rule, but after coming back she played an important role in reaching out to women especially women who suffered during Taliban rule and decades of strife. Esar is fluent in Pashto, Dari, English, and Hindi. Also read: India welcomes preliminary results of Afghanistan presidential election WION: How do you see India and Afghanistan relation? Naheed Esar: The relationship between India and Afghanistan goes back to thousands of years. We share culture, we share values, we share the same morals and its a heart to heart connection between Indians and Afghans WION: On India Afghan ties, the role you would like to see of New Delhi in future? Naheed Esar: India has supported Afghanistan in various areas. India has committed to about $3 billion to Afghanistan and more importantly they focused on fundamental projects, fundamental areas--education, medical area, hospitals. Because we are shifting from aid-dependent country to self-reliant country, and that was one of the reasons we started out consulate general in Hyderabad to invest more in trade, economy. In 2017, we started the air corridor, 22 items were exported. WION: You are a young minister in the Afghan govt, how are you changing Afghanistan? Naheed Esar: Afghanistan is probably the youngest country in the world with 65% of people constituting the young generation. Especially in the past 5 years, we have a young generation in the leading position. Before that, you could not see Afghan women and young Afghan women representing their generation at the foreign ministry. I am very much grateful to the govt for believing in young generation and believing in women. WION: How has the role of women increased in the last 2 decades? Naheed Esar: The biggest difference I see in women's role in the govt is there is a shift in rather a symbolic role to technocrat or proper leading position. we have women as deputy ministers in the ministry of defence, ministry of interior. we have women leading the most revenue-generating ministries. We have 25 per cent of women parliamentarians. We have 30 per cent of women staff in the government. Having given those example, I see a very bright role for Afghan women from leading position to grassroots young afghans going to universities, schools, more so than ever. WION: How will you compare the increase in women participation from Taliban years? Naheed Esar: In the past 18-19 years after the fall of the Taliban, we shifted from zero per cent women in the education system--in schools and universities to about 30 per cent women now. This is the biggest achievement. We have laws, Article 22 of the Afghan constitution talks about the equality of men and women. We have laws against harassments and parallel to that we have institutions implementing those laws. We have women in leading positions, and that is the biggest achievement in the past 2 decades.

EXCLUSIVE: No going back on women's rights, says young Afghan minister; praises India's role for development in her country

As many as 31 Islamic State terrorists, along with 62 women and children have surrendered to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-phones-scripted-tweets-how-trumps-afghanistan-trip-was-kept-under-wraps-265368">Afghan </a>security forces in the eastern province of Nangarhar, the government said on Saturday.

The terrorists gave themselves in to the security forces in the Achin district, Sputnik reported, citing a government`s press release.

A number of heavy and light weapons were also seized.

On November 16, 18 Islamic State terrorists along with 24 women and 31 children surrendered to Afghan forces in the Achin district.

The government has maintained its stance that the increase in the number of surrenders is due to ramped-up military operations by the forces.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

As many as 31 Islamic State terrorists, along with 62 women and children have surrendered to the Afghan security forces in the eastern province of Nangarhar, the government said on Saturday.

As many as 31 Islamic State terrorists, along with 62 women and children have surrendered to the Afghan security forces in the eastern province of Nangarhar, the government said on Saturday. The terrorists gave themselves in to the security forces in the Achin district, Sputnik reported, citing a government`s press release. A number of heavy and light weapons were also seized. On November 16, 18 Islamic State terrorists along with 24 women and 31 children surrendered to Afghan forces in the Achin district. The government has maintained its stance that the increase in the number of surrenders is due to ramped-up military operations by the forces.

Afghanistan: Nearly 31 Islamic State terrorists surrender to security forces

A US air raid has killed eight Afghan policemen in the country&#39;s volatile south, officials said on Monday, in the first apparent &quot;friendly fire&quot; incident since American forces were granted greater powers to strike at insurgents. 
 
The incident occurred on Sunday in the Tali area of Uruzgan province, where the Taliban recently attempted to overrun the capital city Tarin Kot in a major security breach. 
 
&quot;The first airstrike killed one policeman. When other policemen came to help, they came under a second air strike, killing seven of them,&quot; Rahimullah Khan, Uruzgan highway police commander, told AFP. 
 
Mohammad Sediq, a policeman who survived the attack said their forces were &quot;engaged in close fighting&quot; with the Taliban when they were bombed. 
 
The NATO command centre in Kabul confirmed US warplanes had conducted an air strike in the area, but said they targeted individuals posing a threat to Afghan forces. 
 
&quot;US forces conducted two airstrikes against individuals firing on our Afghan partners in Tarin Kot on 18 September,&quot; NATO spokesman Charles Cleveland said in a statement. 
 
&quot;We don&#39;t have any further information on who those individuals might have been or why they were attacking (Afghan) forces. US, coalition, and Afghan forces have the right to self-defence, and in this case were responding to an immediate threat.&quot; 
 
NATO officially ended its combat mission in December 2014, but US forces got more power in June to strike at the insurgents as President Barack Obama vowed a more aggressive campaign. 
 
The new authority gave the US-led NATO troops greater latitude to order airstrikes in support of Afghan troops. 
 
Earlier this month, Afghan forces backed by US air strikes mounted an offensive to flush out Taliban insurgents encircling Tarin Kot. 
 
Afghan forces repelled the attack hours later, bolstered by reinforcements. 
 
(AFP)

'The first airstrike killed one policeman. When other policemen came to help, they came under a second airstrike,' police said

A US air raid has killed eight Afghan policemen in the country's volatile south, officials said on Monday, in the first apparent "friendly fire" incident since American forces were granted greater powers to strike at insurgents. The incident occurred on Sunday in the Tali area of Uruzgan province, where the Taliban recently attempted to overrun the capital city Tarin Kot in a major security breach. "The first airstrike killed one policeman. When other policemen came to help, they came under a second air strike, killing seven of them," Rahimullah Khan, Uruzgan highway police commander, told AFP. Mohammad Sediq, a policeman who survived the attack said their forces were "engaged in close fighting" with the Taliban when they were bombed. The NATO command centre in Kabul confirmed US warplanes had conducted an air strike in the area, but said they targeted individuals posing a threat to Afghan forces. "US forces conducted two airstrikes against individuals firing on our Afghan partners in Tarin Kot on 18 September," NATO spokesman Charles Cleveland said in a statement. "We don't have any further information on who those individuals might have been or why they were attacking (Afghan) forces. US, coalition, and Afghan forces have the right to self-defence, and in this case were responding to an immediate threat." NATO officially ended its combat mission in December 2014, but US forces got more power in June to strike at the insurgents as President Barack Obama vowed a more aggressive campaign. The new authority gave the US-led NATO troops greater latitude to order airstrikes in support of Afghan troops. Earlier this month, Afghan forces backed by US air strikes mounted an offensive to flush out Taliban insurgents encircling Tarin Kot. Afghan forces repelled the attack hours later, bolstered by reinforcements. (AFP)

Now, US air raid kills eight Afghan policemen: Officials

An American and an Australian were kidnapped at gunpoint in the heart of Kabul, officials said Monday, the latest in a series of abductions of foreigners in the conflict-torn country. 
 
The two professors at the American University of Afghanistan were seized on Sunday evening and no group has so far claimed responsibility for their abduction. 
 
&quot;Two foreign professors, one American and the other Australian, were abducted at gunpoint by a kidnapping gang from Dar-ul-Aman road in the centre of Kabul city,&quot; a security official told AFP.&nbsp;&quot;We refrain from further comment in order to not damage police rescue efforts.&quot; 
 
The kidnapping comes just two weeks after the rescue of an Indian charity worker, who was also taken at gunpoint near her residence in the heart of the city. 
 
The US State Department said it was aware of reports of the kidnapping of an American citizen, but declined to comment further.&nbsp;The Australian government confirmed the &quot;apparent kidnapping&quot; of one its citizens, citing its embassy in Kabul, but also refused to elaborate due to security considerations. 
 
&quot;We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation, including the serious threat of kidnapping,&quot; the government said in a statement.&nbsp;The abductions underscore the growing dangers faced by foreigners in Afghanistan. 
 
A group of tourists, including British, American and German nationals, came under Taliban fire on Thursday in the western province of Herat, leaving some of them wounded.&nbsp;Aid workers in particular have increasingly been casualties of a surge in militant violence in recent years. 
 
The Indian charity worker, 40-year-old Judith D&#39;Souza who was a staff member of prominent NGO Aga Khan Foundation, had been abducted on the night of June 9.&nbsp;D&#39;Souza&#39;s abduction came after Katherine Jane Wilson, a well-known Australian NGO worker, was kidnapped on April 28 in the city of Jalalabad, close to the border with Pakistan. 
 
Wilson, said to be aged 60, ran an organisation known as Zardozi, which promotes the work of Afghan artisans, particularly women. 
 
The United States in May warned its citizens in Afghanistan of a &quot;very high&quot; kidnapping risk after an American narrowly escaped abduction in the heart of Kabul.&nbsp;In April last year the bullet-riddled bodies of five Afghan workers for Save the Children were found after they were abducted by gunmen in the strife-torn southern province of Uruzgan. 
 
(AFP)

The kidnapping comes just two weeks after the rescue of an Indian charity worker, who was also taken at gunpoint in the Afghan capital

An American and an Australian were kidnapped at gunpoint in the heart of Kabul, officials said Monday, the latest in a series of abductions of foreigners in the conflict-torn country. The two professors at the American University of Afghanistan were seized on Sunday evening and no group has so far claimed responsibility for their abduction. "Two foreign professors, one American and the other Australian, were abducted at gunpoint by a kidnapping gang from Dar-ul-Aman road in the centre of Kabul city," a security official told AFP. "We refrain from further comment in order to not damage police rescue efforts." The kidnapping comes just two weeks after the rescue of an Indian charity worker, who was also taken at gunpoint near her residence in the heart of the city. The US State Department said it was aware of reports of the kidnapping of an American citizen, but declined to comment further. The Australian government confirmed the "apparent kidnapping" of one its citizens, citing its embassy in Kabul, but also refused to elaborate due to security considerations. "We continue to advise Australians not to travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation, including the serious threat of kidnapping," the government said in a statement. The abductions underscore the growing dangers faced by foreigners in Afghanistan. A group of tourists, including British, American and German nationals, came under Taliban fire on Thursday in the western province of Herat, leaving some of them wounded. Aid workers in particular have increasingly been casualties of a surge in militant violence in recent years. The Indian charity worker, 40-year-old Judith D'Souza who was a staff member of prominent NGO Aga Khan Foundation, had been abducted on the night of June 9. D'Souza's abduction came after Katherine Jane Wilson, a well-known Australian NGO worker, was kidnapped on April 28 in the city of Jalalabad, close to the border with Pakistan. Wilson, said to be aged 60, ran an organisation known as Zardozi, which promotes the work of Afghan artisans, particularly women. The United States in May warned its citizens in Afghanistan of a "very high" kidnapping risk after an American narrowly escaped abduction in the heart of Kabul. In April last year the bullet-riddled bodies of five Afghan workers for Save the Children were found after they were abducted by gunmen in the strife-torn southern province of Uruzgan. (AFP)

American, Australian abducted at gunpoint in Kabul

India has demanded that the UN slaps sanctions against the new Taliban leader in Afghanistan, saying it is &quot;sheer folly&quot; that the leader of a proscribed entity is not yet designated as a terrorist individual. 
 
&quot;It is sheer folly that the leader of a proscribed entity is not yet designated as a terrorist individual,&quot; India&#39;s permanent representative to the UN ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said at a security council debate on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) here yesterday. 
 
Supporting New Zealand&#39;s position that the anamoly should be corrected, Akbaruddin said the new Taliban leader should be sanctioned. 
 
The Taliban had named Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada, a conservative cleric in his 50s, as its new leader after Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in an American drone strike last month. 
 
US state department&#39;s deputy spokesperson Mark Toner had said in a press briefing then that Akhundzada was not on any kind of a terrorist designated list. 
 
Akbaruddin further emphasised that groups and individuals perpetrating violence against the people and government of Afghanistan cannot have safe havens and should not be allowed to exercise control and wield influence over any part of Afghanistan&#39;s territory. 
 
&quot;This, in our view, is critical for lasting peace in the country,&quot; he said adding that effective implementation of the security council sanctions regime including the 1267 ISIL/al-Qaeda sanctions and 1988 Taliban&#39;s regime should also be carried out &quot;consistently and with perseverance&quot; for it to serve as a strong deterrent to the listed entities and individuals. 
 
Previously, India has slammed the UN sanctions committee for taking a &quot;selective approach&quot; in tackling terrorism when a technical hold was put on its application to include the name of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar on the committee&#39;s list of designated terrorists. 
 
India had said in April that it finds it &quot;incomprehensible&quot; that while the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) was listed in the UN security council committee as far back as 2001 for its known terror activities and links to al Qaeda, the designation of the group&#39;s main leader, financier and motivator has been put on a technical hold. 
(PTI) 
 
 
&nbsp;

The Taliban has named Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada, a conservative cleric in his 50s, as the outfit's new leader

India has demanded that the UN slaps sanctions against the new Taliban leader in Afghanistan, saying it is "sheer folly" that the leader of a proscribed entity is not yet designated as a terrorist individual. "It is sheer folly that the leader of a proscribed entity is not yet designated as a terrorist individual," India's permanent representative to the UN ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said at a security council debate on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) here yesterday. Supporting New Zealand's position that the anamoly should be corrected, Akbaruddin said the new Taliban leader should be sanctioned. The Taliban had named Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada, a conservative cleric in his 50s, as its new leader after Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in an American drone strike last month. US state department's deputy spokesperson Mark Toner had said in a press briefing then that Akhundzada was not on any kind of a terrorist designated list. Akbaruddin further emphasised that groups and individuals perpetrating violence against the people and government of Afghanistan cannot have safe havens and should not be allowed to exercise control and wield influence over any part of Afghanistan's territory. "This, in our view, is critical for lasting peace in the country," he said adding that effective implementation of the security council sanctions regime including the 1267 ISIL/al-Qaeda sanctions and 1988 Taliban's regime should also be carried out "consistently and with perseverance" for it to serve as a strong deterrent to the listed entities and individuals. Previously, India has slammed the UN sanctions committee for taking a "selective approach" in tackling terrorism when a technical hold was put on its application to include the name of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar on the committee's list of designated terrorists. India had said in April that it finds it "incomprehensible" that while the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) was listed in the UN security council committee as far back as 2001 for its known terror activities and links to al Qaeda, the designation of the group's main leader, financier and motivator has been put on a technical hold. (PTI)

India slams UN for not slapping sanctions on new Afghan Taliban leader

Clad in a black hijab tucked carefully to fit the frame of her face, 37-year-old Shaheen (name changed) is busy jotting down notes in Persian. The room is dimly lit and it&rsquo;s a hot summer day in the Indian capital. She stops, her hands leave the diary to reach out for the calculator on the table. Five other veiled women sit around the table. They are speaking fluent Dari, one of the major languages spoken in Afghanistan. It is one animated conversation. 
 
Shaheen looks up and says, &ldquo;We have to prepare food for 250 heads tomorrow. We are trying to decide who makes what. This is our biggest order till date and we are nervous. If they like the food, we are going to make good money.&rdquo; 
 
The small room serves as an office for Ilham, a catering start-up run by six Afghan women, all of them single mothers living as refugees in New Delhi. The venture kicked off in 2015 with help from United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and its implementing agency ACCESS Development Services (ADS). Their aim is to help these women achieve economic independence by putting their culinary skills to use. 
 
&ldquo;The profit from our first order was 750 Indian Rupees ($11). It&rsquo;s a really small amount but it was extremely significant for us. That&rsquo;s how Ilham started,&rdquo; says Ziagul, co-founder of the catering service. The menu is Afghan only and the food is home-cooked. 
 
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kh5cwU-SrRY" width="560"></iframe> 
 
A widow and a mother of five, Ziagul came to India in 2011 after she started receiving death threats from the Taliban. Her husband was killed by unidentified men back in 2001 but she continued to stay at her home in Herat, Afghanistan. It was only when she realised that her daughters were in danger that she decided to move to India. 
 
&ldquo;My eldest daughter was a television reporter and my two younger daughters were child actresses in the Afghan film industry. The Taliban threatened us because they thought television was not a place for respectable women,&rdquo; she says. 
 
Ilham is like a mind balm for these ladies who have seen their lives ripped apart in a land that has constantly witnessed conflict since the end of the 1970s. 
 
&ldquo;The word Ilham means &lsquo;positive&rsquo;. After years of bloodshed and struggle, this is the only positive thing to have happened in our lives,&rdquo; says Shaheen, the lone interpreter in the group. She picked up Hindi by watching Indian movies, she tells WIONews. 
 
Shaheen used to teach at a college in Kabul before her husband was abducted by the Taliban. 
 
&ldquo;His friends say he was shot dead but I didn&rsquo;t even get to see his body. I had to take care of four children. I did have a job but the situation became worse when my in-laws asked me to marry my husband&rsquo;s brother. I refused and was tortured. And that&#39;s why I ran away with my children.&rdquo; 
 
After making her way to New Delhi, Shaheen sustained her family by working as a domestic help before joining Ilham. It has been four years since she arrived here. She hasn&rsquo;t been able to enrol her children in a school. 
 
&ldquo;The money was never enough. We barely managed to eat and pay our rent. It&rsquo;s kind of an irony that I had the best of education possible for a woman in that conflict-torn country and that my children are uneducated.&rdquo; 
 
But Ilham has filled her with renewed hope. &ldquo;Ever since I have joined the business, I see hope for them.&rdquo; 
 
Refugee life for Nadira (name changed), the youngest in the group, has been tough because she does not understand Hindi. While the other women praise her recipe of Afghan dumplings, Nadira talks about her family. 
 
&ldquo;I divorced my husband because he was abusive and a drug addict. Afghanistan is a hostile place for a separated woman. So, I decided to come to India with my daughter and younger siblings,&rdquo; she says. 
 
Unlike Shaheen, Nadira has had little education. Ilham is her first taste of empowerment. &ldquo;I see other women at Ilham as liberated Afghan women and that&rsquo;s what I want to be,&rdquo; she says. 
 
The Afghan ladies have attended workshops on enterprise development and teamwork. They have learned to&nbsp;deal with clients. Though the funding is non government organisation-backed (NGO-backed) at the moment, the women hope that Ilham will soon stand on its own feet. 
 
&ldquo;The NGO is an implementing partner of UNHCR and we have provided these women with the banners, visiting cards and raw materials. But the idea is to turn this into a self-sustainable venture. We are getting them used to running a business,&rdquo; says Aditi Sabharwal from ADS. 
 
The venture seems to be on the right track. In the past one year, Ilham has taken part in quite a few popular cultural festivals organised here. According to ADS, it is fast becoming a rage in various embassies in New Delhi to order food from there. 
 
Meanwhile, another good news comes in. It is a big one. It is an invite from one of the biggest hotels in New Delhi to cook in the hotel&rsquo;s kitchen. 
 
&ldquo;It is overwhelming. We are a little scared because it is a luxury hotel kitchen. But this opportunity shows Ilham is working. The aim now is to get more such orders so that we have enough money to expand our business and to save for our families,&rdquo; says Ziagul, who wants Ilham to transform into a restaurant, before getting back to work. 
 
Tomorrow is going to be very busy for these Afghan women. A lot is riding on their shoulders: a good future for them and their families. And, possibly, the hope of thousands of displaced people.

Breaking away from the stereotype of disempowered refugees, six women from war-torn Afghanistan are seeking to turn their fortunes around

Clad in a black hijab tucked carefully to fit the frame of her face, 37-year-old Shaheen (name changed) is busy jotting down notes in Persian. The room is dimly lit and it’s a hot summer day in the Indian capital. She stops, her hands leave the diary to reach out for the calculator on the table. Five other veiled women sit around the table. They are speaking fluent Dari, one of the major languages spoken in Afghanistan. It is one animated conversation. Shaheen looks up and says, “We have to prepare food for 250 heads tomorrow. We are trying to decide who makes what. This is our biggest order till date and we are nervous. If they like the food, we are going to make good money.” The small room serves as an office for Ilham, a catering start-up run by six Afghan women, all of them single mothers living as refugees in New Delhi. The venture kicked off in 2015 with help from United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and its implementing agency ACCESS Development Services (ADS). Their aim is to help these women achieve economic independence by putting their culinary skills to use. “The profit from our first order was 750 Indian Rupees ($11). It’s a really small amount but it was extremely significant for us. That’s how Ilham started,” says Ziagul, co-founder of the catering service. The menu is Afghan only and the food is home-cooked. A widow and a mother of five, Ziagul came to India in 2011 after she started receiving death threats from the Taliban. Her husband was killed by unidentified men back in 2001 but she continued to stay at her home in Herat, Afghanistan. It was only when she realised that her daughters were in danger that she decided to move to India. “My eldest daughter was a television reporter and my two younger daughters were child actresses in the Afghan film industry. The Taliban threatened us because they thought television was not a place for respectable women,” she says. Ilham is like a mind balm for these ladies who have seen their lives ripped apart in a land that has constantly witnessed conflict since the end of the 1970s. “The word Ilham means ‘positive’. After years of bloodshed and struggle, this is the only positive thing to have happened in our lives,” says Shaheen, the lone interpreter in the group. She picked up Hindi by watching Indian movies, she tells WIONews. Shaheen used to teach at a college in Kabul before her husband was abducted by the Taliban. “His friends say he was shot dead but I didn’t even get to see his body. I had to take care of four children. I did have a job but the situation became worse when my in-laws asked me to marry my husband’s brother. I refused and was tortured. And that's why I ran away with my children.” After making her way to New Delhi, Shaheen sustained her family by working as a domestic help before joining Ilham. It has been four years since she arrived here. She hasn’t been able to enrol her children in a school. “The money was never enough. We barely managed to eat and pay our rent. It’s kind of an irony that I had the best of education possible for a woman in that conflict-torn country and that my children are uneducated.” But Ilham has filled her with renewed hope. “Ever since I have joined the business, I see hope for them.” Refugee life for Nadira (name changed), the youngest in the group, has been tough because she does not understand Hindi. While the other women praise her recipe of Afghan dumplings, Nadira talks about her family. “I divorced my husband because he was abusive and a drug addict. Afghanistan is a hostile place for a separated woman. So, I decided to come to India with my daughter and younger siblings,” she says. Unlike Shaheen, Nadira has had little education. Ilham is her first taste of empowerment. “I see other women at Ilham as liberated Afghan women and that’s what I want to be,” she says. The Afghan ladies have attended workshops on enterprise development and teamwork. They have learned to deal with clients. Though the funding is non government organisation-backed (NGO-backed) at the moment, the women hope that Ilham will soon stand on its own feet. “The NGO is an implementing partner of UNHCR and we have provided these women with the banners, visiting cards and raw materials. But the idea is to turn this into a self-sustainable venture. We are getting them used to running a business,” says Aditi Sabharwal from ADS. The venture seems to be on the right track. In the past one year, Ilham has taken part in quite a few popular cultural festivals organised here. According to ADS, it is fast becoming a rage in various embassies in New Delhi to order food from there. Meanwhile, another good news comes in. It is a big one. It is an invite from one of the biggest hotels in New Delhi to cook in the hotel’s kitchen. “It is overwhelming. We are a little scared because it is a luxury hotel kitchen. But this opportunity shows Ilham is working. The aim now is to get more such orders so that we have enough money to expand our business and to save for our families,” says Ziagul, who wants Ilham to transform into a restaurant, before getting back to work. Tomorrow is going to be very busy for these Afghan women. A lot is riding on their shoulders: a good future for them and their families. And, possibly, the hope of thousands of displaced people.

Broth of hope: Afghan refugee women turn entrepreneurs