Category: NEWS

Salam Watandar’s survey on people affected by the Kunar earthquake

On Sunday night, 31 August 2025, a powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, especially Kunar Province. The tremors were also felt in nearby provinces. According to reputable global seismic centers, the earthquake registered 6.0 on the Richter scale, which is relatively rare in Afghanistan’s history of natural disasters. Most districts of Kunar were affected, with the strongest shaking felt in Nurgal, Sawkai, Khas Kunar, and some other districts. This earthquake has been recorded as one of the deadliest in Afghanistan in recent years. As a result, around 2,200 people lost their lives, more than 4,000 were injured, and over 8,000 homes were destroyed.

Rising deforestation threatens Badakhshan’s nature

Sabor Noori, a resident of Badakhshan, says that deforestation has surged in recent months, causing severe floods, soil erosion, and spreading desert-like conditions in parts of the province. He added, “Areas that used to be green and full of forests—which also helped keep floods in check, or as we Badakhshanis call it, reduced the ‘rocky water’—have sadly been destroyed. Beautiful plains and meadows are now turned into rocky, unusable land, and this makes floods even more damaging for the people.”

Why Afghan youths migrate to Iran despite of violence and crisis?

Afghan youths are leaving their country in search of economic opportunities despite serious risks abroad. Iran remains a primary destination, even amid political unrest and security threats. Salam Watandar’s findings indicates that Afghan young people are migrating to Iran despite the country is facing waves of internal instability and the threat of an external conflict.