Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan province, was once known as one of the relatively clean cities in the country. However, the city is now facing new environmental challenges due to accumulated garbage and poor waste management. Rapid population growth, urban expansion, and a lack of public awareness have put the city at serious risk. Meanwhile, concerns about pollution in the Kokcha River are also increasing.
For years, farmers in Kapisa, Afghanistan, have used their experience to determine when to plant: from September to December for some crops and from May to July for summer crops. They also consider rainfall, soil moisture, and hot and cold weather to determine the right time to work in the field.
The increasing use of social media and online messaging platforms has made communication between people easier. However, some inappropriate behaviors online can cause concern, harassment, and harm to individuals’ rights and privacy.
A number of youth in 10 provinces of Afghanistan say that despite having bank accounts, difficulties accessing cash when needed, problems with ATMs (Automated Teller Machines), and a lack of trust caused by previous unsuccessful experiences with the banking system have led them to prefer keeping their money at home. They say this increases the risk of theft and spending money too quickly, while also making it more difficult to save.
A number of youth in Badghis say that the lack of orthodontic services has made it difficult for them to receive treatment, forcing them to travel to other provinces, especially Herat.
As water resources continue to decline in Afghanistan, some farmers in Farah province say saffron farming can provide them with a source of income because the crop requires less water. They emphasize that their main needs are creating opportunities for saffron cultivation and improving access to the domestic market for the product.
A number of youth in Kapisa have complained about the accumulation of waste in parks and green spaces across the province, saying that the lack of trash bins and the disregard of some citizens for maintaining cleanliness have caused pollution in these areas.
Although the lack of sports clubs near their homes, high costs and limited access to sports facilities have made it difficult for many youth to exercise, they remain interested in sports. Some go to sports clubs farther from their homes, some exercise at home, while others continue to exercise in available spaces.
Information obtained from the Ministry of Public Health, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and interviews with eight obstetricians and gynecologists and 17 women in 11 provinces shows that most infant deaths in Afghanistan are caused by preventable factors.
Shilajit is a rare natural substance found in the high-altitude and rugged mountains of Badakhshan. The black substance comes out of rocks and cliffs and, after being collected, cleaned, and processed, is sold in the market. Despite the many difficulties and risks involved in collecting it, many residents of these areas continue to extract and sell it.
The United Nations has said that more than 70 million people worldwide are deaf, as it marks International Day of Sign Languages.
Thoughts about the past that they have not been able to let go of and concerns about a future that has not yet arrived have become sources of worry for a number of youth, keeping them from living in the present.
