News (Consolidated) - UNSOM

KABUL - The Independent Election Commission (IEC) of Afghanistan started a toll-free telephone hotline in the capital, Kabul, on Tuesday, to provide “correct information” to the Afghan public on next year’s Presidential and Provincial Council elections, according to an IEC news release. IEC said the…

FARAH - The revenue of Farah Customs Department reached Afs. 991 million (approx. US$18 million) over the past five months, showing a 52 per cent increase over the same period last year. The Provincial Customs Director, Sayed Mozhal Shah Sadat, has said that the reasons behind the increased revenue…

HERAT - Under National Solidarity Programme (NSP), 302 projects of constructing drinking water reservoirs have been completed in Moghr District of Badghis Province. Around 26,000 local people now have access to clean drinking water through these reservoirs in the district. The head of the Rural…

HELMAND - The Governor of Helmand Province, Mohammad Naeem inaugurated a female nursing training centre in Lashkar Gah district yesterday. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the Provincial Governor said that nursing training centre would help reduce the mortality rate in Helmand province. “In each…

KABUL - As the world marks Nelson Mandela International Day today in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom, United Nations officials – from New York to the Afghan capital of Kabul – have expressed their hopes that the global figure’s…

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General NEW YORK - The Secretary-General welcomes the presidential endorsement and enactment of the Law Regulating the Structure and Responsibilities of Afghanistan's Electoral Management Bodies. The law is a key step toward establishing a…

KABUL - Around 60 domestic organizations came together today to establish a network whose aim is to allow Afghan civil society groups to play a robust role in making next year’s elections fair and transparent. Afghanistan’s presidential election is scheduled to occur on 5 April 2014. The first work…

KABUL - The power of social media to help bring about changes to society, in areas ranging from social justice to increased accountability in governance, is being highlighted in Afghanistan with events linked to ‘Social Media Week,’ which runs from 23 to 29 July, and which was launched in the…

NANGARHAR - A member of the Nuristan provincial council disputed media reports about the number of schools closed in the province due to insecurity. The council’s deputy head said that up to 60 percent of schools had been shut because of security concerns. He accused the provincial government of…

KANDAHAR - Governors from some of Afghanistan’s southern and central provinces – Kandahar, Zabul, Helmand, Uruzgan and Dai Kondi – met yesterday to discuss common challenges faced in areas related to development, security and health. “We gather to discuss the shared problems faced by the people of…

KABUL - The United Nations General Assembly’s designation of 19 November as World Toilet Day shines a spotlight on a sometimes overlooked but urgent public health issue in Afghanistan – the lack of access to hygienic sanitation facilities. World Toilet Day has previously been marked by international…

BAMYAN - Bamyan Governor Dr Habiba Sarabi was among the recipients of this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award. The award, named after a President of the Philippines who died in 1957 in a plane crash honour people and groups from democratic societies who change their society for the better. The award is…